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A pilot study on the seroprevalence of parvovirus B19 infection
Mary Abraham1, Rajeev Rudraraju, Rajesh Kannangai
1Department of Clinical Virology, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore, India.
Insights
This study found that 50% of Indian children and adults have Human Parvovirus B19 (PVB 19) IgG antibodies, with prevalence increasing significantly with age. This indicates widespread PVB 19 exposure in the population.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Human parvovirus B19 (PVB 19) is linked to severe health issues including aplastic crisis, erythema infectiosum, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- Limited data exists on PVB 19 prevalence in India, necessitating a study to assess population exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the seroprevalence of PVB 19 IgG antibodies in Indian children and adults.
- To understand the age-related patterns of PVB 19 exposure.
Main Methods:
- A seroprevalence study was conducted on 226 serum samples from children and adult blood donors in South India.
- Samples were tested for PVB 19 IgG antibodies using a commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA).
Main Results:
- 50% (113/226) of individuals tested positive for PVB 19 IgG antibodies.
- Seroprevalence increased from 8.9% in 1-5 year olds to 70% in individuals over 15 years old.
- The median age of infection was estimated to be between 6 and 15 years, with IgG levels rising significantly with age.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals substantial exposure to PVB 19 in the Indian population, with increasing prevalence correlating with age.
- Individuals testing negative for PVB 19 IgG antibodies may be susceptible to infection and its associated complications.
Background & Objectives:
Human parvovirus B 19 (PVB 19) causes aplastic crisis in children with congenital haemolytic anaemia, erythema infectiosum, abortion and stillbirth. Since data on PVB 19 prevalence is lacking in India, a pilot study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of IgG antibody in children and adults.
Methods:
The samples were obtained from children attending our hospital and from volunteer blood donors, majority of whom were from south India. They included 45 children aged 1-5 yr, 39 aged 6-10 yr, 42 aged 11-15 yr and 100 healthy blood donors > 15 yr of age. Sera were tested for the presence of antibody to PVB 19 using a commercial enzyme immuno assay (EIA).
Results:
Of 226 samples tested, 113 (50%) were positive for PVB 19 IgG. The prevalence of antibody increased from 8.9 per cent at 1-5 yr to 70 per cent in those > 15 yr: the median age of infection was between 6 and 15 yr. Sex and domiciliary status did not have significant effect on the prevalence of antibody. The IgG antibody index increased significantly with age, suggesting repeated exposure to the virus.
Interpretation & Conclusion:
This seroprevalence study indicates that large numbers of individuals show exposure to PVB 19 virus. The exposure as indicated by IgG positivity is seen to increase with age. The IgG negative individuals may be considered to be at risk of developing infections due to PVB 19.