Detection of human parvovirus B19 DNA in 22% of 1,815 cutaneous biopsies of a wide variety of dermatologic conditions suggests viral persistence after primary infection and casts doubts on its pathogenic significance

Summary

Background

Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) has been associated with a number of dermatologic and systemic conditions, including myocarditis and autoimmune syndromes.

Objectives

To determine the frequency of B19V deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) detection in a large dermatopathology practice, and to characterize the histopathologic patterns involved.

Methods

We selected for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of B19V a total of 1,815 skin biopsies pertaining to entities allegedly related to Parvovirus B19, as well as cases suspected clinically of representing paraviral exanthemas. Immunohistochemical detection of B19V viral protein 2 (VP2) was performed in 92 PCR-positive cases.

Results

B19V DNA was found by PCR in 402 out of 1,825 biopsy specimens (22%). VP2 protein was identified by immunohistochemistry only in three instances of papular purpuric "gloves and socks" syndrome.

Conclusions

Since the virus has the capacity to persist in different tissues (including the skin) for long periods, it could represent merely an innocent bystander, so no pathogenetic significance can be inferred from the PCR positivity for B19V in the vast majority of dermatologic conditions studied.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

http://ift.tt/2l5pCvA