Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2006 Dec;49(12):2535-2542.

Seroprevalence of parvovirus B19 in pregnant women in Korea: A study of sociodemographic and medical risk factors

• Yoo JH
• Lee JJ
• Choi JB
• Kim SH
• Choi KY
• Kim MK
• Park EH
• Kim JS
• Joe HS
• Kim TH
• Lee IS
• Lee GH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The prevalence of Parvovirus B19 antibody in Korea has not been known. The aim of this study is to analyze variation of prevalence according to area, job and maternal age.
METHODS
A prospective study of the pregnant women was performed at first & second trimester. This study was an analysis of 221 pregnant women who lived in Seoul, Bucheon, Cheonan, and Gumi in South Korea. All serum samples were drawn during first and second trimester. Presence of parvovirus B19 IgG antibodies and IgM antibodies was determined by ELISA using Parvovirus B19 IgM-3rd Generation EIA, Parvovirus B19 IgG-3rd Generation EIA, Parvovirus B19 Quantitative IgG Calibrators Kit (Biotrin International, Ireland). Data and level of significance were analysed by chi-square test using the SPSS program.
RESULTS
In total, 118 (53.3%) of the 221 pregnant women were IgG antibody positive for parvovirus B19 during first and second trimester. Only 1 (0.5%) of 221 pregnant women was IgM antibody positive. There were no nonimmune fetal hydrops, spontaneous abortion and stillbirth in acutely infected woman. There were no statistically significant differences in Parvovirus IgG positive rate according to maternal age, area, parity and gestational age.
CONCLUSION
This study has confirmed seroprevalence rate of human parvovirus B19 in South Korea comparable to the rate found in Asian countries. But positive rate of Parvovirus IgG was higher than other Asian countries. This study also showed that a proportion of adults of childbearing age was still susceptible to the virus and serological data also showed evidence of infection occurring in this age group. It will be of interest for the obstetricians in this country to note the role of Parvovirus B19 in relation to the extent of stillbirths and hydrops fetalis and to if there is any need for a vaccine to reduce fetal wastage.

Keyword

Parvovirus B19 IgG; Parvovirus B19 IgM; Seroprevalence; Hydrops fetalis; Stillbirth

MeSH Terms

Abortion, Spontaneous
Adult
Antibodies
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Chungcheongnam-do
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Female
Gestational Age
Gyeonggi-do
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Humans
Hydrops Fetalis
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulin M
Korea*
Maternal Age
Parity
Parvovirus B19, Human
Parvovirus*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, Second
Pregnant Women*
Prevalence
Prospective Studies
Risk Factors*
Seoul
Seroepidemiologic Studies*
Stillbirth
Antibodies
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulin M