Short Communication

Human Parvovirus B19 (B19V) Infection in Systemic Sclerosis Patients
Krystyna Zakrzewska^a, Fabiana Corcioli^a, Karen M. Carlsen^d, Dilia Giuggioli^b, Rosa Fanci^c, Alessio Rinieri^a, Clodoveo Ferri^b, Alberta Azzi<sup>a

a</sup>Department of Public Health, Microbiology and Virology Unit, University of Florence and
^bDepartment of Haematology, Careggi Hospital and University of Florence, Florence, and
^cRheumatology Unit, University of Modena, Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy;
^dMedical Centre of Internal Medicine, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Frederiksberg University Hospital of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Address of Corresponding Author

Intervirology 2009;52:279-282 (DOI: 10.1159/000232945)

  Key Words

• Parvovirus B19
• Erythrovirus genotype 1 and 2 persistence
• Systemic sclerosis

  Abstract

Background: Our previous reports suggested a possible association between parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection and systemic sclerosis (SSc), based on higher prevalence of B19V DNA in SSc patients in respect to controls. Methods: In the present study, to further evaluate the differences in the pattern of B19 infection in SSc, skin biopsies and bone marrow samples from patients and controls were analysed for B19V DNA detection, genotyping and viral expression. Results: B19V DNA was detected in skin biopsies from 39/49 SSc patients and from 20/28 controls. Bone marrow showed positive in 17/29 SSc patients, 5/21 haematological patients and 0/10 healthy controls. Genotype 1 was more frequent in skin and bone marrow from patients than from controls. Simultaneous persistence of 2 genotypes was detected in SSc skin and bone marrow samples, never in controls. Viral mRNA for capsid protein was detected in the skin of genotype 1-positive patients and not in control skins. Conclusion: The results outline some differences in the rate of persistence of B19V DNA, in the simultaneous persistence of 2 genotypes and in the pattern of viral expression among SSc patients and controls.

Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Krystyna Zakrzewska
Department of Public Health, Microbiology and Virology Unit
University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 48
IT-50134 Florence (Italy)
Tel. +39 055 4598 555, Fax +39 055 4598 935, E-Mail krystyna.zakrzewska@unifi.it

  Article Information

Received: March 9, 2009
Accepted after revision: June 24, 2009
Published online: August 7, 2009
Number of Print Pages : 4
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 18