Systemic monocyte and T-cell activation in a patient with human parvovirus B19 infection.
Infection with human parvovirus B19 induces a biphasic disease. The initial phase has been associated with viremia. During the second phase of the disease, a spectrum of clinical syndromes can manifest, including erythema infectiosum, perinatal complications, and symmetric arthropathy that resembles rheumatoid arthritis. Although investigators have suspected that some of the second-phase symptoms are related to immune complex formation, the pathogenesis of parvovirus B19-induced clinical manifestations is not understood. Herein we describe a 63-year-old woman with malaise, fever, and symmetric polyarthritis who had IgM antibodies specific for parvovirus B19. Messenger RNA (mRNA) specific for interleukin (IL) 1 beta, IL 6, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was detected by polymerase chain reaction. Transcript concentrations were semiquantified by serial dilution of cells and determination of the minimal number of cells that provided a positive signal. Concentrations of IL 1 beta and IL 6 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected during acute disease were increased by the factor of 32 and 8, respectively. IFN-gamma was detected at a 16-fold increased concentration. Two months later, after the patient had experienced complete recovery, production of monokines and IFN-gamma was almost normalized. These data raise the possibility that acute parvovirus B19 infection is characterized by a widespread and systemic activation of monocytes, T cells, and natural killer cells. The correlation of increased cytokine mRNA levels and clinical symptoms suggests a potential role of proinflammatory monokines and lymphokines in disease manifestations.
Wagner
A D
AD
Division of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN 55905.
Goronzy
J J
JJ
Matteson
E L
EL
Weyand
C M
CM
D000208:Acute Disease; D001483:Base Sequence; D016731:Erythema Infectiosum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007371:Interferon-gamma