Non-permissiveness of synovial membrane cells to human parvovirus B19 in vitro.

The ability of cultured human synovial cells derived from synovial membrane and cartilage to support the replication of human parvovirus B19 was assessed. No viral DNA synthesis nor viral antigens were detected suggesting that B19 virus is not capable of replicating in synovial cells. The significance of this finding in relationship to the pathogenesis of parvovirus arthritis is discussed.