Pediatr Infect Vaccine.  2020 Aug;27(2):111-116. 10.14776/piv.2020.27.e14.

Clinical Characteristics of Human Parvovirus B19 Infection in Children

• Jo KJ
• Lee YJ
• Park KM
• Yang EJ
• Yoo S
• Lim TJ
• Park SE

• KMID: 2506228
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14776/piv.2020.27.e14

Abstract

Purpose
Human parvovirus B19 infection is widespread and has a heterogeneous clinical spectrum, ranging from asymptomatic infection to potentially life-threatening complications. We investigated the various clinical features of human parvovirus B19 infection during an outbreak of the virus in our community.
Methods
A retrospective chart review study was conducted at the Pusan National University Children's Hospital from December 2017 to April 2019. We investigated the clinical features of children with parvovirus B19 immunoglobulin M or parvovirus B19 DNA detected using polymerase chain reaction.
Results
A total of 24 children were diagnosed with parvovirus B19 infection. Twelve (50%) had lace form rashes, and four (16.7%) had petechial rashes. Two (8.3%) were diagnosed with fever without a focus. Six (25%) developed aplastic crisis as a complication of infection, of whom three were previously diagnosed with hereditary spherocytosis and three with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Conclusions
In addition to erythema infectiosum, the parvovirus B19 infection can present clinically with various types of rashes and fever without a focus. Furthermore, hematologic manifestations such as neutropenia and aplastic crisis can occur during infection.

Keyword

Parvovirus; Child; Rash; Aplastic crisis