Conditions such as arthritis, certain rashes, aplastic crisis and Hydrops fetalis (which can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth) may be attributed to parvovirus infection.
Parvovirus B19 (B19 virus) was the first human parvovirus discovered, by chance in 1975 by the Australian virologist Yvonne Cossart. It gained its name because it was discovered in well B19 of a large series of petri dishes.
Parovirus B19 is best known for causing a childhood malady, ?fifth disease? (erythema infectiosum) or ?Slapped Cheek Syndrome?.
Virology
The B19 virus belongs to the Parvoviridae family of small DNA viruses. It is classified as Erythrovirus because of its capability to invade red blood cell precursors in the bone marrow.
Transmission
The virus is spread by infected respiratory droplets. The secondary attack risk for exposed household persons is about 50%, and about half of that for classroom contacts.
Infectivity
B19 symptoms begins some six days after exposure and last about a week. Infected patients with normal immune systems are contagious before becoming symptomatic, but probably not after then.
Persons with B19 IgG antibodies are generally considered immune to recurrent infection, but reinfection is possible in a minority of cases. About half of all adults are B19-immune due to a past infection.
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