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Parvovirus B19 Infection in Adults: A Case Series

Cundullah Torun1

  • 1Internal Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University Göztepe Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, TUR.

Cureus
|July 29, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Parvovirus B19 infection in adults can mimic other conditions, leading to misdiagnosis. Prompt diagnosis through antibody and PCR testing is crucial for effective supportive care and symptom resolution.

Area of Science:

  • Internal Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Parvovirus B19 infection commonly causes erythema infectiosum in children.
  • Adult presentations of Parvovirus B19 are diverse and frequently misdiagnosed.
  • Recognizing atypical adult symptoms is essential for timely diagnosis.

Observation:

  • A case series of three adult patients diagnosed with Parvovirus B19 infection in an outpatient internal medicine clinic.
  • Presenting symptoms included fatigue, arthralgia, swelling, and rash, mimicking early rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Diagnosis was confirmed using serological testing for parvovirus antibodies and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Findings:

  • All three adult patients experienced symptom resolution with supportive care.
  • Average recovery time was 18 days.
  • The case series highlights diagnostic challenges in adult Parvovirus B19 infections.

Implications:

  • Increased clinical suspicion for Parvovirus B19 is warranted in adults with flu-like symptoms, joint pain, and rash.
  • Timely serological testing and PCR are vital for accurate diagnosis in adults.
  • Awareness is crucial, particularly during outbreaks and after exposure to infected children.
Keywords:
infection outbreakparvovirus b19polyarthralgiaproximal interphalangeal jointskin rash

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