Molecular characterization of human parvovirus B19 associated with neuromyelitis

Abstract

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) is associated with a wide range of clinical symptoms. An acute infection can lead to anemia, erythema infectiosum, or hydrops fetalis, as well as arthritis and other clinical manifestations. Among other diseases associated with B19V, several demyelinating disorders may occur as a result of B19V infection. Phylogenetic analysis of partial erythrovirus sequences resulted in three possible B19V genotype groups. Our study involved analysis of samples from a patient with neuromyelitis that enabled the molecular characterization of human parvovirus B19.
OBJECTIVE: To study B19V infection associated with a neurological manifestation and to perform phylogenetic analysis.
METHODS: Serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples were tested for B19V infection. The serological assay for B19V was a commercial IgG and IgM enzyme immunoassay kit. Nucleic acid detection was performed using a PCR assay. The phylogenetic analyses were performed using PAUP and other software programs.
RESULTS: Our study reports that the topology of viral isolate sequences from a patient with neuromyelitis fell within a clade consisting of B19V genotype 1.
CONCLUSION: This result indicates that this virus genotype group has been circulating in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This report represents a rare case in which B19V might be the responsible agent for central nervous system infection.