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Parvovirus B19 Antibodies, IgG and IgM, Serum

Erythema infectiosum (EI) Antibodies, Fifth Disease Antibodies, Hungarian Measles Antibodies

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB8000, MAYO: PARVS

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One gold-top SST Tube (SST).

 

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let serum specimen clot 30-60 minutes. Immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells within 2 hours of collection. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Serum refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum Serum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Plasma specimens. 
• Severely hemolyzed, lipemic or icteric specimens. 
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated. 

In-Lab Processing

Let serum specimen clot 30-60 minutes. Centrifuge specimen to separate serum from cells within two hours of collection. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 24 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 14 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 14 days

Laboratory

Sent to Mayo Clinic Laboratory, Rochester, MN.

Performed

Monday – Friday.
Results available in 1-3 business days.

Test Methodology

Sandwich enzyme immunoassay.

Interpretation

IgG is usually present by the seventh day of illness and persists for years. (1) 

Seroconversion between acute and convalescent sera is considered strong evidence of current or recent infection. The best evidence for infection is a significant change on two appropriately timed specimens, where both tests are done in the same laboratory at the same time.

Immunocompromised patients may have a delayed or absent antibody response. Therefore, antibody levels may not be the optimal way to diagnose parvovirus infection in these patients. The best method in these situations is detection of parvovirus DNA in serum.

Clinical Utility

This assay is used in the differential diagnosis of acute and recent from past infection with human parvovirus associated with erythema infectiosum (fifth disease), aplastic crisis, and fetal infection.

Clinical Disease

Erythema infectiosum (EI) or fifth disease is the most common manifestation of human parvovirus infection. EI is an acute, self-limiting febrile illness. Patients with EI are typically healthy except for an erythematous rash on the face (slapped-cheek appearance) and an erythematous reticulated rash on the trunk and extremities. As central clearing occurs, the rash may take on a lace-like appearance. The rash usually resolves within a week. However, the rash may recur intermittently for several weeks, especially after exercise, bathing, thermal changes, or stress. Although most children have few symptoms other than rash, up to 25% of cases may have mild fever, headache, sore throat, and abdominal discomfort. Like most childhood exanthems, human parvovirus infections are somewhat more severe in adults who may experience a moderately severe, self-limited arthropathy of the wrists and knees following human parvovirus infection. Approximately 20% of cases may be asymptomatic.

Complications of B19 infections can be severe or life threatening, especially in patients with chronic hemolytic anemias. These patients require increased red blood cell production in order to maintain stable red cell indices. B19's replication in erythroid precursor cells and the subsequent disruption of RBC production may cause a transient aplastic crisis (TAC) in these patients. In immunodeficient patients, B19 infections can cause severe chronic anemia associated with red cell aplasia.

During pregnancy, B19 infections can (but usually do not) lead to fetal infection. Fetal infection can, in turn, cause severe anemia, congestive heart failure, generalized edema (fetal hydrops), and fetal death. The fetus is vulnerable to severe anemia because it depends upon a high rate of red cell production for growth and development. In addition, its immune system is immature, and the fetus may be unable to mount an adequate antibody response. (1)

Epidemiology

Human parvovirus occurs most often in the late winter and spring months and epidemics occur at 3-5 year intervals. Erythema infectiosum most commonly occurs in school-aged children aged 5-13 years. Human parvovirus has a worldwide distribution, and 60-70% of adults have antibody to the virus. There is only one known serotype. (1)

Incubation Period

The incubation period is 4-14 days but can be as long as 20 days. Patients are infectious during the prodromal period (2-10 days after infection), well before Erythema infectiosum develops. (1)

Transmission

Human parvovirus is moderately contagious, and transmission is presumed to occur through the inhalation of virus-laden droplets. Virus can also be transmitted parenterally by transfusion and vertically from mother to fetus.(1)

Reference

1. Wiedbrauk D, Johnston SLG. Manual of Clinical Virology, Raven Press, New York, NY, 1993.

CPT Codes

86747x2.

Contacts

Last Updated

11/11/2024