POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION OF PARVOVIRUS B19 FROM INTRAVENOUS IMMUNE GLOBULIN

To look for genetic changes in human parvovirus B19 that might be asso ciated with chronic infection, we sequenced B19 DNA obtained from seru m specimens collected over an approximately 1-year period from a patie nt with systemic vasculitis. A comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the VP1/VP2 gene from four specimens revealed an abrupt change in t he B19 genotype that coincided with initiation of intravenous immune g lobulin (IVIG) therapy. We suspect that one or more of the lots of IVI G administered to the patient were contaminated with B19, If true, thi s finding suggests that investigators must be careful in linking B19 i nfection to disease based on detection of B19 DNA in persons who have received multiple unit blood products. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.