Persistent parvovirus B19 viremia with chronic arthralgia treated with ascorbic acid: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: According to some studies, ascorbic acid possesses antiviral properties. These studies were mainly focused on the common cold, with very few focusing on other viral infections. Case presentation: We report the case of a 54-year-old Caucasian woman with chronic arthralgia due to persistent parvovirus B19 viremia. High doses of ascorbic acid treatment were initiated due to the failure of conventional analgesic therapy. Clinical benefit was observed with a simultaneous loss of biological parvovirus B19 viremia. Conclusions: This observation shows a potential benefit of the use of ascorbic acid against parvovirus B19 infections, even if this case is not sufficient to draw any definite conclusions.