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[Parvovirus B 19 in pregnancy]
I Sodja1, M Mrázová, M Smelhausová
1Státní zdravotní ústav, Praha.
Summary
Human parvovirus B19 infection is common in adults, with seropositivity rising significantly after an epidemic. While typically a childhood illness, adult infections are frequent but often undiagnosed, posing risks during pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Immunology
Context:
- Human parvovirus B19, discovered in 1975, was etiologically linked to erythema infectiosum and fetal hydrops in 1984-1985.
- Erythema infectiosum is primarily a childhood disease, with 96% of cases in children under 14, yet parvovirus IgG seroprevalence in this group is only 11%.
Purpose:
- To assess herd immunity in the female population regarding parvovirus B19.
- To determine the risk of parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy.
Summary:
- Seropositivity for parvovirus B19 in women of fertile age increased from approximately 50% before the 1993-1994 epidemic to 70% after.
- Parvovirus B19 infections are frequent in adults but often remain undiagnosed, despite its common presentation as a childhood illness.
Impact:
- Highlights the high prevalence of undiagnosed adult parvovirus B19 infections.
- Identifies a significant increase in population immunity following an epidemic, relevant for pregnancy risk assessment.
- Suggests the potential utility of Czech gammaglobulin preparations for managing non-immune fetal hydrops.