[Rheumatologic manifestations of parvovirus B19 infection]

Rheumatologic manifestations of parvovirus B19 infection is a recent individualization. They are rather frequent and varied and meet at the young adult's. Generally, it is responsible for acute, bilateral and symmetrical arthritis, usually involving distal joints and sometimes associated to signs caused by viral infections. Prolonged articular forms were discribed but are rare being able to sometimes feign a nocive rheumatoid arthritis because of their clinical aspect and of a seropositivity. Axial manifestations were also reported. The diagnosis of the recent infection by the parvovirus B19 can be confirmed by ELISA identification of specific IgM antibodies. The mechanism of the articular manifestations is still unknown and the link between parvovirus B19 and systemic vasculitis is questioned.