Detection of human parvovirus B19 in serum samples from children under 5 years of age with rash–fever illnesses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Summary Introduction: Virus surveillance strategies and genetic characterization of human parvovirus B19 (B19V) are important tools for regional and global control of viral outbreak. In São Paulo, Brazil, we performed a study of B19V by monitoring the spread of this virus, which is an infectious agent and could be mistakenly reported as a rash and other types of infection. Method: Serum samples were subjected to enzyme immunoassay, real time polymerase chain reaction, and sequencing. Results: From the 462 patients with suspected cases of exanthematic infections, the results of the 164 serum samples were positive for B19V immunoglobulin M. Among these cases, there were 38 patients with erythema infections and B19-associated with other infections such as encephalitis, hydrops fetalis, chronic anemia, hematological malignancies. These samples were sequenced and identified as genotype 1. Conclusion: This study showed patients with infections caused by B19V and sequencing genotype 1. Continuous monitoring is necessary to detect all known genotypes, and the emergence of new genotypes of these viruses for case management in public health control activities.

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The prevalence of antibody to human parvovirus B19 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo ◽

10.1590/s0036-46651990000100007 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 41-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Jussara P. Nascimento ◽

Marie M. Buckley ◽

Kevin E. Brown ◽

Bernard J. Cohen

Keyword(s):

Rio De Janeiro ◽

Parvovirus B19 ◽

Human Parvovirus B19 ◽

Antibody Prevalence ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Igg Antibody ◽

Males And Females ◽

Aged Eleven

During 1985 and 1986 serum samples were collected from the Rio de Janeiro population and examined for the presence of IgG antibody to human parvovirus B19. No difference in prevalence was found between males and females. Antibody prevalence rose from 35% in children less than five years old to almost 80% in children aged eleven to fifteen years. The antibody prevalence in individuals over 50 years old was over 90%.

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Human parvovirus B19 infection: clinical and epidemiological study of 24 cases

Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo ◽

10.1590/s0036-46651996000500002 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 38 (5) ◽

pp. 323-328 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Solange A. Oliveira ◽

Antonio B. Brandão ◽

Daniele G. Fernandes ◽

Lilian R. Bettini ◽

Anamaria B. Carvalho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Differential Diagnosis ◽

Infectious Diseases ◽

Enzyme Immunoassay ◽

Epidemiological Study ◽

Parvovirus B19 ◽

Human Parvovirus B19 ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Erythema Infectiosum ◽

Parvovirus B19 Infection

From March 1994 to November 1995 24 cases of human parvovirus B19 infection were seen at the Infectious Diseases Department of the Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Niterói - RJ. Serum samples for IgM detection (capture enzyme immunoassay) were positive from the 1st to the 27th day after the onset of the exathema. The classical features of erythema infectiosum (slapped cheecked syndrome) were observed in 8 (33.3%) cases all of them children. Eight patients (6 adults and 2 children) presented a symmetrical polyartropathy, seen more frequently in women. These results show that B19 infection diagnosis is difficult when the disease does not present the classical features and because of the frequent involvement of the joints this infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of early rheumatoid arthritis.

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No association between human parvovirus B19 and testicular germ cell cancer

Journal of General Virology ◽

10.1099/0022-1317-83-9-2321 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 83 (9) ◽

pp. 2321-2324 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

T. Tolfvenstam ◽

N. Papadogiannakis ◽

A. Andersen ◽

O. Akre

Keyword(s):

Germ Cell ◽

Parvovirus B19 ◽

Cell Cancer ◽

Germ Cell Cancer ◽

Human Parvovirus B19 ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Testicular Germ Cell ◽

Viral Receptor ◽

Testicular Carcinoma ◽

Testicular Germ Cell Cancer

The incidence of testicular germ cell cancer, which is the most common cancer among young male adults, is increasing. The aetiology remains unknown, although a virus has been proposed. A previous study has shown a high prevalence of human parvovirus B19 (B19) DNA in the testes of patients with testicular germ cell tumours (85%) and suggested that B19 may play a role in tumour development. To address this question of causality, seroreactivity to B19 was studied among cases (n=80) and controls (n=241) using serum samples drawn before the onset of disease, in addition to an elucidation of the frequency of virus DNA in a retrospectively collected 2-year testicular carcinoma series. No association was found between B19 seropositivity and the risk of testicular cancer (odds ratio=1·03; 95% confidence interval=0·60–1·77) nor was there any dose-response relation (P for trend=0·53). This study did, however, confirm the observation that B19 DNA can be detected in testicular carcinoma tissue, as 4 of 24 cases were found to be positive, while no B19 DNA could be detected in the control cases. It is speculated that this finding may be due to susceptibility of the carcinoma cells to B19 virus owing to high-level expression of the viral receptor glycosphingolipid (Gb4) and possible other putative cellular factors resulting in a localized persistence initiated after the development of cancer.

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Leptospirosis as a cause of fever associated with jaundice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

10.1371/journal.pntd.0009670 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (8) ◽

pp. e0009670

Author(s):

Patrick Mukadi Kakoni ◽

Yannick Munyeku Bazitama ◽

Jean Raphael Nepomuceno ◽

Elisabeth Pukuta-Simbu ◽

Francois Kawhata Mawika ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adult ◽

Yellow Fever ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

World Health ◽

Common Symptom ◽

Adult Males ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Young Adult Males ◽

Igm Elisa ◽

Republic Of The Congo

Background Fever with jaundice is a common symptom of some infectious diseases. In public health surveillance within the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), yellow fever is the only recognized cause of fever with jaundice. However, only 5% of the surveillance cases are positive for yellow fever and thus indicate the involvement of other pathogens. Leptospira spp. are the causative agents of leptospirosis, a widespread bacterial zoonosis, a known cause of fever with jaundice. This study aimed to determine the seropositivity of anti-Leptospira antibodies among suspected yellow fever cases and map the geographical distribution of possible leptospirosis in the DRC. Methods We conducted a retrospective study using 1,300 samples from yellow fever surveillance in the DRC from January 2017 to December 2018. Serum samples were screened for the presence of IgM against Leptospira spp. by a whole cell-based IgM ELISA (Patoc-IgM ELISA) at the Institut National de Recherche Biomedicale in Kinshasa (INRB) according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidance. Exploratory univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were undertaken to assess associations between socio-demographic factors and the presence of Leptospira IgM. Results Of the 1,300 serum samples screened, 88 (7%) showed evidence of IgM against Leptospira spp. Most positive cases (34%) were young adult males in the 20–29-year group. There were statistically significant associations between having Leptospira IgM antibodies, age, sex, and living area. Observed positive cases were mostly located in urban settings, and the majority lived in the province of Kinshasa. There was a statistically significant association between seasonality and IgM Leptospira spp. positivity amongst those living in Kinshasa, where most of the positive cases occurred during the rainy season. Conclusions This study showed that leptospirosis is likely an overlooked cause of unexplained cases of fever with jaundice in the DRC and highlights the need to consider leptospirosis in the differential diagnosis of fever with jaundice, particularly in young adult males. Further studies are needed to identify animal reservoirs, associated risk factors, and the burden of human leptospirosis in the DRC.

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Human parvovirus B19 infection within a family and risk for pregnant women

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s095026880000159x ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 117 (2) ◽

pp. 401-403 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

A. Azzi ◽

M. Trotta ◽

K. Zakrzewska ◽

E. Balzer ◽

P. G. Rogasi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Parvovirus B19 ◽

Immunofluorescence Assay ◽

Favourable Outcome ◽

Human Parvovirus B19 ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Household Contacts ◽

Parvovirus B19 Infection ◽

Low Levels ◽

Foetal Infection

SummaryDuring an outbreak of parvovirus B19 infection among four related families at least 70% of the household contacts, including a woman at the 33rd week of pregnancy, became infected. Twins were born at the 39th week of pregnancy, both with B19 infection. B19 DNA was detected in their sera by a nested PCR, anti-B19 IgM was detectable only by an immunofluorescence assay, and low levels of maternal anti-B19 IgG were demonstrable by an immunoenzymatic test in the serum of both children. All the haematological parameters were normal at birth and 6 months later, when B19 DNA and anti-B19 antibody were no longer detectable in serum samples. This observation emphasizes the high risk of B19 infection among household contacts and the possibility of a favourable outcome of the foetal infection, possibly related to infection late in the pregnancy.

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Microsphere-Based IgM and IgG Avidity Assays for Human Parvovirus B19, Human Cytomegalovirus, and Toxoplasma gondii

mSphere ◽

10.1128/msphere.00905-19 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Yilin Wang ◽

Lea Hedman ◽

Visa Nurmi ◽

Inga Ziemele ◽

Maria F. Perdomo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Human Cytomegalovirus ◽

Parvovirus B19 ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Human Parvovirus B19 ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Content Type ◽

Reference Methods ◽

Igg Avidity ◽

Highly Sensitive

ABSTRACT Human parvovirus B19 (here B19), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), and Toxoplasma gondii infections during pregnancy can lead to severe complications. While traditional diagnosis of infections is mostly confined to one pathogen at a time, a multiplex array is a feasible alternative to improve diagnostic management and cost-efficiency. In the present study, for these three pathogens, we developed microsphere-based suspension immunoassays (SIAs) in multiplex and monoplex formats for the detection of antimicrobial IgM antibodies as well as corresponding chaotrope-based IgG avidity SIAs. We determined the diagnostic performances of the SIAs versus in-house and commercial reference assays using a panel of 318 serum samples from well-characterized clinical cohorts. All the newly developed assays exhibited excellent performance compared to the corresponding high-quality reference methods. The positive and negative percent agreements of the IgM SIAs in comparison with reference methods were 95 to 100% and 98 to 100%, and those of the IgG avidity SIAs were 92 to 100% and 95 to 100%, respectively. Kappa efficiency values between the SIAs and the corresponding reference assays were 0.91 to 1. Furthermore, with another panel comprising 391 clinical samples from individuals with primary infection by B19, HCMV, or T. gondii, the IgM SIAs were highly sensitive for the detection of acute infections, and the IgG avidity SIAs were highly specific for the separation of primary infections from past immunity. Altogether, the strategy of IgM multiplex screening followed by IgG avidity reflex testing can provide high-throughput and accurate means for the detection and stage determination of B19, HCMV, and T. gondii infections. IMPORTANCE Human parvovirus B19, human cytomegalovirus, and Toxoplasma gondii are ubiquitous pathogens. Their infections are often asymptomatic or mild in the general population yet may be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy. Maternal infections by these pathogens can cause severe complications to the fetus or congenital abnormalities. As a rule, the risk of maternal transmission is critically related to the infection time; hence, it is important to determine when a pregnant woman has acquired the infection. In this study, we developed new diagnostic approaches for the timing of infections by three pathogens. All the new assays appeared to be highly sensitive and specific, providing powerful tools for medical diagnosis.

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Quantitative Competitive-PCR Assay to Measure Human Parvovirus B19-DNA Load in Serum Samples

Molecular Biotechnology ◽

10.1385/mb:32:1:023 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 023-030 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Massimiliano Bergallo ◽

Chiara Merlino ◽

Roberta Daniele ◽

Cristina Costa ◽

Alessandro Negro Ponzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parvovirus B19 ◽

Human Parvovirus B19 ◽

Competitive Pcr ◽

Pcr Assay ◽

Serum Samples

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Low prevalence of antibody to human parvovirus B19 in Singapore

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268800068552 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 113 (3) ◽

pp. 537-540 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Y. Matsunaga ◽

K. T. Goh ◽

E. Utagawa ◽

N. Muroi

Keyword(s):

Parvovirus B19 ◽

Age Group ◽

Human Parvovirus B19 ◽

Antibody Prevalence ◽

Igg Antibody ◽

Seropositivity Rate ◽

Antigen Capture ◽

Low Incidence ◽

Low Prevalence ◽

Children Under 5

SUMMARYA seroepidemiological survey was conducted in Singapore to assess the prevalence of antibody to human parvovirus B19. Sera were collected from 600 healthy individuals between 6 months and over 50 years of age and tested for IgG antibody against B19 virus by antigen capture indirect immunosorbent assay. The overall seropositivity rate was 16·2%. All the children under 5 years of age were seronegative. Antibody prevalence increased gradually from 3·5% in school children (5–14 years of age) to 7·7% in age group 15–19 years and then to 10·3% in young adults (20–24 years of age). In the age group 25–34 years the prevalence was 28% and in the age group over 35 years 65% had parvovirus B19 antibody. The results of the survey indicate that there has been very low incidence of B19 virus infection in Singapore during the last two decades.

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Adherence to the referral advice after introduction of rectal artesunate for pre-referral treatment of severe malaria at the community level: a noninferiority trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Malaria Journal ◽

10.1186/s12936-019-3074-6 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Patrick M. Mvumbi ◽

Jeanine Musau ◽

Ousmane Faye ◽

Hyppolite Situakibanza ◽

Emile Okitolonda

Keyword(s):

Community Health ◽

Severe Malaria ◽

Community Health Workers ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Community Care ◽

Health Workers ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Republic Of The Congo ◽

Rectal Artesunate ◽

Children Under 5

Abstract Background The Democratic Republic of the Congo adopted the strategy of using, at the community level, a dose of rectal artesunate as a pre-referral treatment for severe malaria amongst children under 5 years who could not quickly reach a health care facility and take oral medication. However, the adherence to referral advice after the integration of this strategy and the acceptability of the strategy were unknown. Methods To assess adherence by the mothers/caretakers of children under 5 years to referral advice provided by the community health workers after pre-referral treatment of severe malaria with rectal artesunate, the authors conducted a noninferiority community trial with a pre- and post-intervention design in 63 (pre-intervention) and 51 (post-intervention) community care sites in 4 provinces (Kasaï-Oriental, Kasaï-Central, Lomami, Lualaba) from August 2014 through June 2016. The pre- and post-intervention surveys targets 387 mothers of children under 5 years and 63 community health workers and 346 mothers and 41 community health workers, respectively. A 15% margin was considered for noninferiority analyses due to the expected decrease in adherence to referral advice after the introduction of the new intervention. Results The mothers acknowledged that the rectal route was often used (60.7%), and medicines given rectally were considered more effective (63.6%) and easy to administer (69.7%). The acceptability of pre-referral rectal artesunate was relatively high: 79.4% (95% CI 75.4–83.3) among mothers, 90.3% (95% CI 82.3–96.8) among community health workers, and 97.8% (95% CI 93.3–100) among nurses. Adherence to referral advice at post-intervention [84.3% (95% CI 80.6–88.1)] was non-inferior to pre-intervention adherence [94.1% (95% CI 91.7–96.4)]. Conclusions The integration of pre-referral rectal artesunate for severe malaria into the community care site in the DR Congo is feasible and acceptable. It positively affected adherence to referral advice. However, more health education is needed for parents of children under 5 years and community health workers.

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