Role of parvovirus B19 infection in childhood idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Although parvovirus B19 exhibits a strong tissue-tropism for erythroid prog enitor cells leading to anaemia, several case reports indicate that parvovi rus B19 infection may also cause the development of thrombocytopenia. Despi te recent studies, the frequency and clinical relevance of this association have remained questionable. Consequently, and in view of the paucity of ev idence regarding a viral aetiology for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). we examined the role of parvovirus B19 in 47 children with newly dia gnosed ITP, Specific viral DNA indicating a current or recent parvovirus B1 9 infection was demonstrated in 6 of 47 patients (13%) employing the polyme rase chain reaction technique. Our study suggests that children with ITP an d associated parvovirus B19 infection are characterized by acute onset of p rofound thrombocytopenia. Among the parvovirus B19 positive children, durat ion of disease was brief in three children treated with immunoglobulin but chronic in the remaining three patients given high-dose steroids. Prospecti ve studies are needed to confirm these initial observations, This virus sho uld be considered as a possible aetiologic agent in some children with ITP.