[Seroprevalence study of parvovirus B19 in Poland].

The aim of the study was to assess the seroprevalence of parvovirus B19 in the Polish general population. Serum samples (n=2,500) were randomly selected from a serum bank comprising materials coming from inhabitants of all 16 polish provinces, collected by the Department of Virology in 1995-2004. Testing was performed using ELISA kits. Association of seropositive results with age, gender, residence type, and geographical location was assessed by bivariate and multivariate analyses. Of the 2,500 samples tested, 1,321 (52.9%) were seropositive for parvovirus B19. First peak of seropositive persons was observed in pre-school children, the proportion of seropositives achieving 80% among 40 year-olds. Up to 40% women of child-bearing age were established susceptible to parvoviral infection. No association between seropositivity and gender, year of sample collection, residence type and place was observed. Analysis of proportion of seropositive children aged 1, 2 and 3 by year of sample collection permitted identification of epidemic year occurrence in 1999. Results of the present study indicate that parvovirus B19 infections are widespread in Poland and are not associated with gender, residence type or geographic region. Up to 40% women of child-bearing age were established susceptible to parvovirus B19 infection, which indicates that it can constitute an important factor of miscariages, especially during epidemic years.