The clinical presentations associated with parvovirus B19 infection vary greatly, ranging from benign to life threatening. The clinical presentation is influenced by the infected individual's age and hematologic and immunologic status.
Patients with parvovirus B19 infection are most contagious during the phase of active viral replication and viral shedding. Viremia occurs approximately 5 to 10 days after exposure and usually lasts approximately 5 days, with viral load peaking on the first few days of infection. During this phase, patients can be asymptomatic or present with non-specific flu-like illness, and patients with underlying hematologic abnormalities can suffer severe anemia.
The possibility of parvovirus B19 infection should be suspected in patients who present with symptoms consistent with the associated clinical syndromes, including erythema infectiosum, acute arthralgias, transient aplastic crises, and chronic reticulocytopenic anemia in the setting of immunosuppression. The diagnostic approach depends on the host and the clinical presentation.
Microbiology - Virology
DPAR
Please collect a dedicated sample tube for PCR testing.
CHL separating - send tube directly to Virology. Referral lab - see referral section below for instruction
Testing is batched daily Monday-Friday at approximately 9.30am, with results available from mid-afternoon.
Erythema infectiosum - PCR
Erythrovirus B19 - PCR
Human parvovirus B19 - PCR
72 hours
2745