[Parvovirus B19 infection: the general aspects and gestational problems].

Parvovirus B19 is a small, heat-stable, single-strained DNA virus (5.5 kb), with 23 nm icosahedral capsid discovered in 1975. Since its discovery, the virus has been shown to be a causative agent of erythema infectiosum (fifth disease). Under specific circumstances it can cause transient aplastic crisis, chronic anemia, arthritis and fetal death. Laboratory diagnosis of recent or past B19 infection usually relies on the demonstration of virus-specific IgM or IgG antibodies in patient's serum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Parvovirus B19 infection among 87 pregnant patients. Our study on anti-B19 antibody prevalence indicates that about 64% of pregnant women in our country lack specific antibodies and are at risk of B19 infection. One intrauterine death was encountered in a patient with specific IgM antibodies. The authors suggest the detection of IgG and IgM anti-B19 antibodies as a routine screening practice during pregnancy.