Raynaud's phenomenon as a manifestation of parvovirus B19 infection: Case reports and review of parvovirus B19 rheumatic and vasculitic syndromes

Infection with human parvovirus B19 is manifested as erythema infectiosum, transient aplastic crisis, or hydrops fetalis, Rheumatic manifestations inc lude arthropathy and various vasculitic syndromes. Isolated Raynaud's pheno menon due to parvovirus B19 has never been described. We report on 2 previo usly healthy sisters with new-onset Raynaud's phenomenon accompanied by sev ere generalized polyarthralgia, A full workup was negative, except serology for parvovirus B19, which was positive. Air symptoms gradually subsided wi thin 3-5 months, and no recurrence has been noted during the 3 years since onset. We review all the studies in the English-language literature on parv ovirus B19-induced rheumatic and vasculitic syndromes. We hypothesize that the pathogenesis of Raynaud's phenomenon in our patients involved immune-me diated endothelial damage leading to platelet activation and vasoconstricti on. We recommend that in cases of unexplained Raynaud's phenomenon, serolog y for parvovirus B19 be included in the evaluation.