[Infection with parvovirus B 19 virus in humans]

Human parvovirus B 19 (B 19) causes endemic infections in Germany. Most frequently. B 19 infection is associated in with erythema infectiosum. In patients with underlying chronic-haemolytic anaemia, B 19 infection can result in aplastic crisis. In patients with hereditary or acquired immuno-deficiency syndromes, B 19 virus may persist causing chronic bone marrow aplasia. In pregnancy B 19 infection may cause hydrops fetalis resulting in fetal loss. B 19 infection may cause hydrops fetalis resulting in fetal loss. B 19 infection in sometimes associated with vascular purpura. Infections occur mostly as epidemic outbreaks in families, kindergartens and schools as well as hospital wards. Acute or past B 19 infections are confirmed by detection B 10-specific antibodies (IgM/IgM) by ELISA.