title: Splenic infarcts as a rare manifestation of parvovirus B19 infection.
abstract: Human parvovirus B19 is a DNA virus most known for causing erythema infectiosum in children, and polyarthropathy or transient aplastic crisis in adults. However, various unusual clinical manifestations have also been reported in association with it. We describe a young patient who presented with splenic infarcts as a rare complication of B19 infection.
  
  
  
  A 33-year old previously healthy man was admitted to our hospital because of a 5-day history of fever and headache. Imaging studies revaled two splenic infarcts. Endocarditis was ruled out, whereas serologic testing for B19 was indicative of acute infection.
  
  
  
  To our knowledge, three cases of thromboembolism in the setting of B19 infection have been reported up to now, including one occurence of splenic infarction. These events were attributed to the development of a transient antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. In contrast, our patient did not have elevated titers of antiphospholipid antibodies.
  
  
  
  Splenic infarcts can be an atypical presentation of B19 infection. Parvovirus B19 may induce thromboembolic events, even in the absence of antiphospholipid antibodies.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, Tzaneio General Hospital, Afentouli & Zanni Str., Piraeus 18536, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kranidiotis
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, Tzaneio General Hospital, Afentouli & Zanni Str., Piraeus 18536, Greece.
authors.forename: Efrosini
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Efstratiadis
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, Tzaneio General Hospital, Afentouli & Zanni Str., Piraeus 18536, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kapsalakis
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, Tzaneio General Hospital, Afentouli & Zanni Str., Piraeus 18536, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Loizos
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, Tzaneio General Hospital, Afentouli & Zanni Str., Piraeus 18536, Greece.
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bilis
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, Tzaneio General Hospital, Afentouli & Zanni Str., Piraeus 18536, Greece.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Melidonis
keywords: Parvovirus B19; Splenic infarcts