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Fibromyalgia and parvovirus infection

L J Leventhal1, S J Naides, B Freundlich

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia.

Arthritis and Rheumatism
|October 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Fibromyalgia (FM) may have an infectious origin, as suggested by three patients who developed FM after parvovirus B19 infection. Further research into viral triggers for FM is recommended.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Fibromyalgia (FM) shares similarities with chronic fatigue syndrome, prompting investigation into potential infectious etiologies.
  • The hypothesis of an infectious cause for FM is explored, drawing parallels with other conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome.

Observation:

  • Three patients presented with FM symptoms following confirmed acute parvovirus B19 infections.
  • Diagnostic tests revealed positive IgM and IgG parvovirus B19 antibody titers in all three patients approximately one month after symptom onset.
  • All three individuals met the established diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia.

Findings:

  • Polysomnography in two patients indicated significant alpha-wave intrusion during non-rapid eye movement sleep.
  • The study observed a temporal association between parvovirus B19 infection and the onset of fibromyalgia symptoms.

Implications:

  • These findings suggest that parvovirus B19 may be a potential trigger for fibromyalgia in susceptible individuals.
  • A targeted search for viral infections, particularly parvovirus B19, is warranted in FM patients presenting with preceding flu-like illnesses.
  • This research opens avenues for exploring viral pathogenesis in fibromyalgia and related conditions.

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