Parvovirus B19 in HIV+ adult patients with different CD4+ lymphocyte counts

Abstract

Purpose. Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) can cause anemia in immunocompromised patients. We aimed to investigate the presence of B19V in HIV+ adults with different CD4+ T cell counts, to recognise the frequency of B19V in these different conditions and its possible association with anemia. Methodology. We studied B19V specific IgM, IgG and DNA in 98 HIV+ patients and in 52 healthy individuals. HIV load, CD4+ counts and haemoglobin level were also determined in the patients. Results. No individual in the control group had detectable IgM, 41/52 (78.8%) had IgG and 5/52 (9.6%) had B19V DNA. Among HIV+ patients, we found 5/98 (5.1%) IgM+, 66/98 (67.3%) IgG+ and 15/98 (15.3%) had B19V DNA (no significant differences between the two groups compared). Considering the CD4+ cell range in HIV patients, 37 had <200 CD4+ cells ml–1, 31 had 200–500, and 30 had >500. Anti-B19V IgG prevalence in patients with >500 CD4+ cells ml–1 was significantly higher than in the rest (P=0.004) and compared to the control (P=0.046). B19V DNA concentration was always <103 IU ml–1, including 5 healthy individuals and 15 HIV+ patients. There was no significant association between B19V IgM or DNA and anemia nor between B19V DNA and HIV load. Conclusions. The results indicate that B19V is not a high-risk factor for anemia in adult HIV+ patients under HAART treatment. Further studies will contribute to elucidate the mechanisms and significance of B19V DNA prevalence/persistence in adults, independently of the CD4+ cell status.