Polymerase chain reaction for detection of parvovirus B19 in immunodeficient patients with anemia.

Development of a polymerase chain reaction for detection of parvovirus B19 is described. Among 14 primer pairs spanning the whole genome, 6 were shown to amplify viral DNA at least 10(5) fold and 4 did not amplify non B19-DNA to levels detectable by hybridization with a virus specific DNA probe. Failure to amplify only one B19 isolate with one particular primer combination suggests limited heterogeneity of the sequence among different viruses. Examples for the application of the method are presented, and its use for diagnosis and followup of B19 infections as compared to standard hybridization techniques and serology is discussed.