Maternal-fetal transmission of human parvovirus B19 genotype 3.

Plasma samples obtained at delivery from 885 pregnant Ghanaian women were tested for human parvovirus B19 DNA and B19-specific antibodies. Maternal-fetal transmission was evaluated by testing paired maternal plasma and umbilical cord blood samples, as well as newborn whole-blood samples when they were available. The B19 DNA seroprevalence rate in women was 1.8% (94% had genotype 3 strains), and the immunoglobulin G (IgG) seroprevalence rate in women was 81%. Two of 3 cases of primary maternal B19 infection resulted in fetal transmission. Coexistence of B19 DNA and B19-specific IgG (persistence) was detected in 13 women (1.5%), but no transmission of the virus was observed. Contrary to the situation in pregnant women with primary B19 infection and high viral loads, pregnant women with low viral loads and B19-specific IgG do not appear to be vertically infectious.