Detection of human parvovirus B19 infection in first-trimester fetal loss.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the frequency of parvovirus B19 infection in first-trimester fetal loss, as measured by B19 DNA polymerase chain reaction in placental tissue in a prospective descriptive study from a nonendemic area.


METHODS
Placental tissues from first-trimester fetal losses were examined for presence of B19 DNA by polymerase chain reaction in a prospective study during 30 months. For comparison, placental tissues from second-trimester fetal losses, as well as from full-term normal pregnancies, were also studied.


RESULTS
B19 DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction in one of 36 (3%) placental tissues from first-trimester fetal losses. In second-trimester fetal losses, eight of 64 (12%) samples were B19 DNA positive. None of the 53 placental tissues from full-term normal pregnancies were B19 DNA positive. In first-trimester fetal losses, maternal serum from the B19 DNA-positive sample was B19 immunoglobulin (Ig)G positive but B19 IgM negative. In second-trimester fetal losses, six of six tested B19 DNA-positive samples were both B19 IgG and IgM positive.


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency of first-trimester fetal loss associated with parvovirus B19 infection was low, 3%, during a nonepidemic period in Sweden, as measured by B19 DNA-specific polymerase chain reaction in placental tissue.
Nyman
Margareta
M
Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Danderyd Hospital, Danderyd, Sweden.
Tolfvenstam
Thomas
T
Petersson
Karin
K
Krassny
Christina
C
Skjöldebrand-Sparre
Lottie
L
Broliden
Kristina
K
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000821:virology*; D000328:Adult; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008423:Maternal Age; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016732:Parvovirus B19, Human; D010920:Placenta / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011446:Prospective Studies
D004279:DNA, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M