title: Parvovirus infection mimicking systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: There are striking similarities between human parvovirus B19 (HPV-B19) infection and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): both may present with malar rash, fever, arthropathy, myalgia, cytopenia, hypocomplementemia, anti-DNA, and antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Therefore, it is difficult at times to differentiate HPV-B19 infection from SLE presentation or exacerbation. We report 4 cases of HPV-B19 infection mimicking SLE and review 10 other reported cases, all of whom were women. The similarity to a typical SLE presentation was indeed striking: most patients presented with rash, arthropathy, myalgia, fever, and positive ANA. In some cases, HPV-B19 infection seemed to exacerbate SLE rather then resemble it, and differentiation was difficult. Nearly all patients improved within several weeks. However, a few patients had symptoms and laboratory abnormalities lasting more than 6 months. The possibility of HPV-B19 infection should be entertained in patients presenting with SLE-like features.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, MO 63104, USA.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nesher
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Osborn
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016731:Erythema Infectiosum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016732:Parvovirus B19, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007052:Ibuprofen