Parvovirus B19

Parvovirus B19 (B19) was discovered serendipitously in 1974 and is the only member of the familyParvoviridae known to be pathogenic in humans. The virus is widespread, and manifestations of infection vary with the immunologic and hematologic status of the host. In healthy immunocompetent children, B19 is the cause of erythema infectiosum, an innocuous rash illness. Infection is occasionally, especially in adults, associated with an acute symmetric polyarthropathy that may mimic rheumatoid arthritis.