Prevalence and genotypic characterization of human parvovirus B19 in hemophilia patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is usually transmitted through respiratory tract, but can also be received through blood transfusion. This study evaluated the seroprevalence, DNA existence, and circulating genotypes of B19V in hemophilia patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum samples of cases and controls were analyzed for B19V using ELISA and real-time PCR. Finally, obtained sequences were used for genotyping. RESULTS: Among cases, 3% were anti-B19V IgM positive and 47% were anti-B19V IgG positive and B19V DNA was detected in 16% of them. However, among controls, 38% were anti-B19V IgG positive (P>0.05) and 5% were B19V DNA positive (P= 0.019). Also ∼13% of cases were positive and all of controls were negative for IgG avidity test (P= 0.029). Viral load in case group was higher than control group (P = 0.037). CONCLUSION: Since hemophilia patients receive large amounts of blood factors, prevalence of B19V in these patients might be higher than normal subjects.