Parvovirus B19 antibodies - serum

Last updated: Sunday, 28, May, 2006

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Item Process
Specimen

10 mL blood in plain tube.

Method

EIA.

Application

Investigation of aplastic crisis in chronic haemolysis;
transient erythroblastopenia of childhood;
anaemia with or without neutropenia in immunosuppressed patients;
maternal infection associated with hydrops fetalis, subacute polyarthritis or suspected fifth disease (erythema infectiosum).

Interpretation

IgM antibodies provide evidence of recent parvovirus infection.

IgG levels fluctuate, so rising titres may not indicate recent exposure.

Diagnosis of persistent infection requires detection of virus by nucleic acid probe after PCR amplification (specialised laboratories only).

Reference

Heegaard ED and Brown KE Clin Microbiol Rev 2002; 15: 485-505.