Primary parvovirus B19 infection in immunocompetent adults: clinical and biological manifestations

Purpose. - The spectrum of clinical and biological expressions of parvoviru s B19 infection is uncompletely described. Methods. - We report 16 retrospective cases of primary parvovirus B19 infec tion that occurred in immunocompetent adults and were diagnosed by serology . Results and conclusion. - Most cases conformed to the classical description s of parvovirus-induced arthropathy (transient polyarthritis often accompan ied by erythema, dysesthesia and pruritis). However, the diagnosis of prima ry parvovirus B19 infection should also be considered in other clinical and biological situations such as edema, acute anemia or cytopenia, Vascular p urpura, neuro-ophtalmologic manifestations, and hepatitis. ParvoVirus infec tion may mimick diseases such as lupus erythematosus or systemic necrotizin g vasculitis. The risk for confusion with both diseases is increased, as im munological abnormalities such as hypocomplementemia, when they are systema tically searched for, prove to be common. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques e t medicales Elsevier SAS.