Parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy studied by maternal viral load and immune responses.
OBJECTIVE
Facilitate risk assessment of vital complications in fetuses of pregnancies affected by acute parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection.


METHODS
Study of the natural course of maternal B19V infection in four cases, from early pregnancy on.


METHODS
University Medical Center in the Netherlands.


METHODS
Pregnant mothers attending obstetric services.


METHODS
Serial measurements of the maternal and fetal or neonatal viral load and antibody responses.


METHODS
Maternal and fetal/neonatal serum B19V viral DNA load and specific IgM and IgG antibodies in maternal serum.


RESULTS
Peak viral load levels occurred within 1 week after maternal infection and peak IgM levels were observed 1 week after the peak viral load levels. Approximation of IgG and IgM ratios usually took place 4 weeks after infection. Vertical transmission occurred 1-3 weeks after maternal infection, suggesting that fetal infection occurs during the maternal peak viral load.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal B19V DNA load levels and IgM responses are useful to estimate the risk of parvovirus B19-associated fetal complications. The maternal peak viral load directly precedes the onset of fetal infection and may be used to indicate the stage of intrauterine B19V infection.
de Haan
Timo R
TR
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Beersma
Matthias F C
MF
Claas
Eric C J
EC
Oepkes
Dick
D
Kroes
Aloys C M
AC
Walther
Frans J
FJ
D000328:Adult; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D016732:Parvovirus B19, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D019562:Viral Load
D004279:DNA, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M