Parvovirus B19 Infection

Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that patients with sickle cell disease who develop parvovirus B19 infection are at risk of transient aplastic crisis, characterized by acute exacerbation of baseline anemia with substantially decreased reticulocyte count (typically <1%) 3
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that parvovirus B19 is the most common infectious cause of fetal anemia, with a risk of fetal death of 15% when infection occurs between 13-20 weeks of gestation 1, 2
The risk of fetal death decreases to 6% after 20 weeks of gestation, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 1, 2
Parvovirus B19 infection can cause hydrops fetalis and congenital anemia, and in severe cases, may require intrauterine transfusion to support the fetus during this aplastic crisis 1, 2
Diagnosis requires comparison of complete blood count and reticulocyte count obtained during acute illness with baseline values, as well as bone marrow examination and B19 viral studies 3
IgG positive with IgM negative indicates past infection (at least 4-12 weeks prior) and protection against new infection, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics 4

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends isolation of suspected cases from high-risk individuals, such as pregnant healthcare workers or those with chronic hemolysis 3
Siblings and others with sickle cell disease in contact with the patient are at risk of concurrent or subsequent aplastic crisis 3
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that parvovirus B19 is highly contagious, and recommends isolation of cases to prevent transmission to high-risk individuals 3