Neurological manifestations of human parvovirus B19 infection.
Since its discovery, human parvovirus B19 has been linked with a broad spectrum of clinical syndromes. An aetiological role for the virus has been confirmed in erythema infectiosum, transient aplastic crisis, persistent infection manifesting as pure red cell aplasia in immunocompromised persons, non-immune hydrops fetalis and arthritis. Less commonly recognised, but receiving increasing attention recently, are the neurological manifestations, a variety of which have been described in patients with either clinically diagnosed or laboratory confirmed B19 infection. The purpose of this review is to summarise present knowledge of B19, its known and potential pathogenic mechanisms and its association with human diseases, particularly those with neurological manifestations. The outcome of the review supports an aetiological role of the virus in neurological disease. However, the pathogenesis remains unknown and elucidating this is a priority.
Laboratory Medicine Academic Group, University of Manchester, Clinical Sciences Building 3rd Floor, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK. farajbarah@hotmail.com
Faraj
F
Barah
Pamela J
PJ
Vallely
Graham M
GM
Cleator
Jonathan R
JR
Kerr
D016731:Erythema Infectiosum / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016732:Parvovirus B19, Human; D013577:Syndrome