Parvovirus

 Parvovirus refers to a genus of small, DNA-based viruses that are part of the Parvoviridae family. Parvoviruses can infect a broad range of animals as well as humans. The two most recognized instances in human medicine are parvovirus B19 and human bocavirus.

Parvovirus in Blood

Human Parvovirus B19

Parvovirus B19 predominantly infects humans. It is the causative agent of fifth disease (erythema infectiosum), a common childhood rash. In adults, the virus can lead to joint inflammation and can cause significant fetal complications if a pregnant woman contracts the infection.

Human Bocavirus

Human bocavirus is another parvovirus known to infect humans. It is associated with respiratory tract infections, predominantly in children.

Canines Parvovirus

Animal Parvoviruses

Animal-specific parvoviruses also exist, with canine parvovirus and feline parvovirus (also known as feline panleukopenia virus) among the most well-known. These viruses cause severe, sometimes fatal, gastrointestinal disease in the infected animals.

Virology

Parvoviruses are non-enveloped, single-stranded DNA viruses. The small genome of these viruses encodes only a few proteins, yet they are capable of causing significant disease in their hosts.

Transmission

Parvoviruses are typically transmitted via the respiratory route in respiratory droplets, but can also spread through blood transfusion or from mother to fetus during pregnancy in the case of parvovirus B19.

Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis

• Symptoms depend on the specific parvovirus and the host. In humans, parvovirus B19 can cause a facial rash (slapped cheek syndrome), fever, headache, and joint pain. Human bocavirus can cause respiratory symptoms similar to a common cold, while animal parvoviruses lead to severe gastrointestinal disease.
• Diagnosis usually relies on serology or PCR to detect viral DNA or specific antibodies in blood samples.

Treatment and Prevention

No specific antiviral treatment is available for parvovirus infections. Management typically involves treating symptoms and providing supportive care. Vaccines are available for some animal parvoviruses but not for the human forms.

See Also

• Virus
• Fifth disease
• Human Bocavirus

References

• Young, N. S., & Brown, K. E. (2004). Parvovirus B19. The New England Journal of Medicine, 350(6), 586-597.
• Schildgen, O., Müller, A., Allander, T., Mackay, I. M., Völz, S., Kupfer, B., & Simon, A. (2008). Human bocavirus: passenger or pathogen in acute respiratory tract infections?. *Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 21(2), 291-304.

Parvovirus Resources
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