[Parvovirus B19 infection after renal transplantation]

Despite improvements in the management of transplanted patients, viral infections following transplantation remain significant causes of morbidity and mortality. New laboratory techniques have improved the diagnosis of pathogenic viral infections following transplantation such as parvovirus B19 infections. Anemia is the principal abnormality associated with parvovirus B19 infection but other complications have been reported such as hepatitis, glomerulonephritis, myocarditis or arthritis. In immunocompromised patients, infection, which may remain undiagnosed by serological tests is usually assessed by PCR. Patients may spontaneously recover. However, in the absence of specific antiviral therapy, intravenous immunoglobulin appears to be the more efficacious treatment.