Persistent B19 infection in immunocompetent individuals: implications for transfusion safety

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Hematology

Background:

• Previous studies suggested parvovirus B19 (B19) persistence in immunocompetent individuals, but relied on limited cross-sectional data.
• Understanding the long-term presence of B19 in non-immunodeficient populations is crucial for transfusion safety and disease management.

Observation:

• Serial samples from multitransfused patients with hemoglobinopathies and pregnant women were analyzed for B19 markers.
• Persistent B19 viral DNA was detected in 8% of red cell recipients over 1-3 years.
• A significantly lower prevalence (0.8%) of detectable B19 DNA and IgG was found in pregnant women.

Findings:

• Long-term persistence of parvovirus B19 DNA is frequent in multitransfused patients.
• The virus can remain detectable for several years post-infection in non-immunodeficient individuals.
• B19-specific IgG was consistently found in patients with persistent viral DNA.

Implications:

• These findings highlight the potential for chronic B19 infections in specific immunocompetent groups.
• The results have implications for blood transfusion screening and management of B19 in vulnerable patient populations.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms of B19 persistence and its clinical significance.