Fortnightly Review: Parvovirus B19: an expanding spectrum of disease

Summary points Infection with parvovirus B19 is common and is usually spread by the respiratory route In immunocompetent individuals with normal red cells B19 infection is benign and self limiting, usually presenting as erythema infectiosum (the slapped cheeked syndrome) in children In adults, especially women, B19 infection is often complicated by acute polyarthritis, which may persist in some cases Parvovirus B19 may also be transmitted across the placenta. Severe fetal B19 infection may result in hydrops fetalis and fetal death Parvovirus B19 causes transient aplastic crisis in patients with chronic haemolytic anaemia; such patients pose a risk of nosocomial transmission of the virus Severe anaemia, prolonged or relapsing, may develop in immunocompromised patients infected with parvovirus B19. This can be treated with normal immunoglobulin Parvovirus B19 may be transmitted by blood components or blood products