Prenatal diagnosis of parvovirus B19-induced hydrops fetalis by chemiluminescence in situ hybridization

Parvovirus B19 can be transmitted transplacentally from the infected mother to the fetus during pregnancy, and hydrops fetalis, abortion, or stillbirt h can result. In our study we explored the use of chemiluminescence in situ hybridization to detect B19 DNA on cord blood cells, amniotic fluid cells, and pleuric fluid cells from several cases of hydrops fetalis. B19 DNA was detected by using digoxigenin-labeled probes immune-enzymatically visualiz ed with the chemiluminescent adamantil-1,2-dioxetane phenyl phosphate subst rate for alkaline phosphatase. The luminescent signal emitted from the hybr idized probes was detected, analyzed, and measured with a high-performance, low-light-level imaging luminograph connected to an optical microscope and to a personal computer for the quantification and localization of the chem iluminescent emission inside individual cells.