Genetic variants of parvovirus B19 identified in the United Kingdom: implications for diagnostic testing.
BACKGROUND
Discrepant results in diagnostic parvovirus B19 PCR assays have been observed with strains showing nucleotide sequence variation.


OBJECTIVE
To perform phylogenetic analysis on two parvovirus B19 strains that gave discrepant PCR results.


RESULTS
One strain was found to be genotype 2; the second strain was genotype 3.


CONCLUSIONS
Parvovirus B19 genotypes 2 and 3 strains were identified in diagnostic samples of UK origin following the investigation of discrepant PCR results. More structured investigations are needed to estimate the prevalence of these variants. In the meantime, diagnostic PCR results should be interpreted cautiously when they are at variance with serological testing. Manufacturers of PCR kits for the detection of B19 sequences will need to consider re-designing their primers.
Virus Reference Department, Centre for Infections, Health Protection Agency, Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK.
B J
BJ
Cohen
J
J
Gandhi
J P
JP
Clewley
D000328:Adult; D017931:DNA Primers; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D016732:Parvovirus B19, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000592:standards; D013045:Species Specificity; D006113:United Kingdom; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000235:genetics
D017931:DNA Primers; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins