Parvovirus B19-specific DNA in bone marrow from B19 arthropathy patients: evidence for B19 virus persistence

J Infect Dis. 1993 Mar;167(3):744-8. doi: 10.1093/infdis/167.3.744.

Abstract

To determine if B19 infection persists in patients with chronic B19 arthropathy, acute B19 infection in adults was documented by IgM serology. Bone marrow aspirates were obtained 24-42 months after acute infection in 4 patients who developed chronic joint symptoms. DNA from bone marrow aspirates was amplified by polymerase chain reaction by using B19-specific DNA sequences in the viral capsid gene and probing with B19-specific oligonucleotides in Southern analysis. B19-specific DNA sequences were detected in all 4 chronic arthropathy patients compared with 0 of 7 anti-B19 IgM-, IgG- and 0 of 6 anti-B19 IgM-, IgG+ normal bone marrow donors. Three patients with serologically proven acute B19 infection and acute but nonchronic joint symptoms had B19 DNA detected in bone marrow aspirates 2-18 months after infection. These findings suggest that B19 arthropathy is associated with persistence of either B19 virus or select B19 DNA sequences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis, Infectious / etiology
  • Arthritis, Infectious / microbiology*
  • Base Sequence
  • Blotting, Southern
  • Bone Marrow / microbiology*
  • Chronic Disease
  • DNA, Viral / analysis*
  • Erythema Infectiosum / complications
  • Erythema Infectiosum / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Parvovirus B19, Human / genetics*
  • Parvovirus B19, Human / physiology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • DNA, Viral