Parvovirus B19 infections and hematological manifestations

Human Parvovirus B19 causes several clinical manifestations and complications. The most common result of infection with B19 virus is erythema infectiosum. ITP was observed 1 week after the onset of erythema infectiosum, suggesting immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. Parvovirus infection may result in profound reticulocytopenia for some 7 to 10 days commencing during viremia. In vitro studies on cultured bone marrow and peripheral blood have shown that B19 virus inhibits the formation of BFU-E (blast forming unit, erythroid) colonies, suggesting that an early erythrocyte precursor cell is susceptible to virus infection. Human Parvovirus B19 infection should be suspected in all instances of aplastic crises. We suggest that the parvovirus serology should be included in virological investigations of ITP.