Clinical and epidemiological aspects of parvovirus B19 infections in Ireland, January 1996-June 2008

Abstract

Parvovirus B19 infection may be mistakenly reported as measles or rubella if laboratory testing is not performed. As Europe is seeking to eliminate measles, an accurate diagnosis of fever/rash illnesses is needed. The main purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiological pattern of parvovirus B19, a common cause of rash, in Ireland between January 1996 and June 2008, using times series analysis of laboratory diagnostic data from the National Virus Reference Laboratory. Most diagnostic tests for presumptive parvovirus B19 infection were done in children under the age of five years and in women of child-bearing age (between 20-39 years-old). As a consequence, most of the acute diagnoses of B19 infection were made in these populations. The most commonly reported reasons for testing were: clinical presentation with rash, acute arthritis, influenza-like symptoms or pregnancy. The time series analysis identified seasonal trends in parvovirus B19 infection, with annual cycles peaking in late winter/spring and a six-year cycle for parvovirus B19 outbreaks in Ireland.

Parvovirus B19 Outbreak in Israel: Retrospective Molecular Analysis from 2010 to 2023

“…A study conducted in Ireland spanning from 1996 to 2008 also identified annual cycles of B19V peaking in late winter/spring, resembling the findings reported herein. Furthermore, a six-year cycle for B19V outbreaks was observed in that study [ 9 ]. Our results suggest that the outbreak cycle every 5–6 years of B19V has been maintained, despite a dramatic increase in the number of B19V infections observed in 2023.…”

“…This pattern can be explained by the fact that children and women of fertile age are the primary population groups suspected of B19V illness or pregnancy complications, thus leading to more frequent testing in these groups. Similarly, in Ireland, the majority of diagnostic tests for presumptive B19V infection in 1996–2008 were conducted in children and women between the ages of 20 and 39, corresponding the child-bearing age [ 9 ].…”

“…B19V infections exhibit seasonal patterns, with regions experiencing moderate climates typically observing higher incidence rates from late winter to early summer [ 9 ]. Epidemics tend to occur at intervals of approximately 4–5 years [ 4 ].…”

Seroepidemiology of Human Parvovirus B19 Infection among the Population of Vojvodina, Serbia, over a 16-Year Period (2008–2023)

“…This suggests that environmental factors such as weather and geographical conditions probably affect the PVB19 prevalence and seasonal infection rates. However, some studies have reported slightly different data [ 40 , 41 ].…”

Prevalence of parvovirus B19 antibodies in pregnant women in northern Benin

“…B19V infection occurs worldwide [5,6], with epidemics tending to follow a 3-year to 6-year cycle [7][8][9][10][11][12] with an incidence of seroconversion in pregnancy between 1% and 1.5% in endemic periods and 13% in epidemic periods [13]. Seroprevalence rates vary widely by age and geographical area [10,[14][15][16][17][18][19], being lower in pre-school children (15%) and higher in adults, reaching up to 85% in the elderly [7,20,21]. Numerous seroepidemiological studies have been carried out worldwide among pregnant women, with seroprevalence rates varying widely between different geographical areas [17,[22][23][24][25][26][27].…”