Human parvovirus B19: a literature review and case study

Human parvovirus is ubiquitous. It affects human erythroid precursors causing their lysis and apoptosis, resulting in varying degrees of interference with red cell production. There is a range of clinical presentation from no obvious abnormalities, to the classic ‘slapped cheek’ and lacy body rash in a child, to fever and arthropathy in an adult. The level of haemoglobin may fall by 20g/dL or more precipitating anaemia in susceptible people. Amongst the most susceptible are unborn babies who suffer from a high rate of abortion if affected in the first trimester, anaemia that may result in non-immune hydrops in the second trimester, and in utero death in the third trimester. An illustrative case study of hydrops in the second trimester treated by in utero transfusion is presented, with a review of the literature.