The lack of routine surveillance of Parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy prevents an accurate understanding of this regular cause of fetal loss and the risks posed by occupational exposure

Parvoviruses are widespread in nature, with a diversity of virus types affecting many animal species, usually in a species-specific manner. Some members of the parvovirus family give rise to asymptomatic infections but others are highly pathogenic, causing disease not only in adults but also in the young, the newborn and in the fetus. Parvoviruses of animals have for long been regarded as agents of reproductive failure and parvovirus B19 was recognised as a cause of fetal loss in humans in the 1980s. Moreover, following the control of congenital rubella by pre-pubertal and child vaccination, parvovirus B19 infection has emerged as probably the leading cause of viral embryopathy. This review will focus on the laboratory diagnosis of parvovirus B19 infection following exposure in pregnancy. The indications for testing maternal and fetal samples and the interpretation of test results will be discussed and a section is included on clinical management of the infection in pregnancy. The obstetric outcome in pregnant women who seroconvert will be reviewed.

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High Rate of Severe Fetal Outcomes Associated with Maternal Parvovirus B19 Infection in Pregnancy

Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.1155/2008/524601 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 2008 ◽

pp. 1-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Richard H. Beigi ◽

Harold C. Wiesenfeld ◽

Daniel V. Landers ◽

Hyagriv N. Simhan

Keyword(s):

Parvovirus B19 ◽

Case Series ◽

Fetal Loss ◽

High Rate ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Fetal Outcomes ◽

Maternal Characteristics ◽

Parvovirus B19 Infection ◽

Trend Variation ◽

In Pregnancy

Objective. To augment the understanding of parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy with respect to maternal characteristics and their corresponding fetal outcomes.Study Design. Retrospective case-series of all women referred to Magee-Women_s Hospital with serologically-documented parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy from 1998–2001.Results. All 25 cases that are available for analysis occurred from January through June. The frequency of cases varied substantially from year to year, with 14 cases in 1998, 0 cases in 1999 and 2000, and 11 cases in 2001. In contrast to previous reports, the minority of women [4/25(16%)] experienced symptoms attributable to parvovirus B-19 infection although 3 of 25 (12%) fetuses developed hydrops fetalis and 4/25 (16%) suffered an intrauterine of fetal death.Conclusions. These findings suggest that parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy follows seasonal and annual trend variation, may produce a lower frequency of maternal symptoms and a higher fetal loss rate than previously reported.Synopsis. Maternal parvovirus B19 infection follows seasonal and annual variation is often asymptomatic and may have higher fetal loss rates than previously reported. Continued surveillance is warranted.

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Fetal morbidity and mortality after acute human parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy: prospective evaluation of 1018 cases

Prenatal Diagnosis ◽

10.1002/pd.940 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 24 (7) ◽

pp. 513-518 ◽

Cited By ~ 196

Author(s):

Martin Enders ◽

Andrea Weidner ◽

Iris Zoellner ◽

Karen Searle ◽

Gisela Enders

Keyword(s):

Parvovirus B19 ◽

Morbidity And Mortality ◽

Human Parvovirus B19 ◽

Prospective Evaluation ◽

Parvovirus B19 Infection ◽

In Pregnancy

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Diagnosis, management and possibilities to prevent parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy

Future Virology ◽

10.2217/fvl.11.120 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 6 (12) ◽

pp. 1435-1450 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Annelie Plentz ◽

Susanne Modrow

Keyword(s):

Parvovirus B19 ◽

Parvovirus B19 Infection ◽

In Pregnancy

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Parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy — awareness and opportunities

Current Opinion in Virology ◽

10.1016/j.coviro.2017.10.003 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 ◽

pp. 8-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Francesca Bonvicini ◽

Gloria Bua ◽

Giorgio Gallinella

Keyword(s):

Parvovirus B19 ◽

Parvovirus B19 Infection ◽

In Pregnancy

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Case 39

Oxford Case Histories in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology ◽

10.1093/med/9780198846482.003.0039 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 269-276

Author(s):

Katie Jeffery

Keyword(s):

Viral Infection ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Parvovirus B19 ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Varicella Zoster ◽

Parvovirus B19 Infection ◽

Diagnostic Approaches ◽

In Pregnancy

Viral infection in pregnancy can lead to adverse outcomes for both the mother and the foetus. This chapter examines the steps to be taken on exposure to viruses associated with rash illness in pregnancy. Consideration is given to the important points in the history, which viral infections are of concern in pregnancy (varicella-zoster, parvovirus B19, rubella, measles, and Zika), the possible outcomes of infection, diagnostic approaches, and the management of a confirmed case of Parvovirus B19 infection.

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