Parvovirus B19
Parvovirus B19 is a DNA virus which causes a variety of clinical presentations. It was identified in the 1980's as the cause of erythema infectiosum
Erythema infectiosum (also known as fifth disease or 'slapped-cheek syndrome')
Other presentations
Erythema infectiosum (also known as fifth disease or 'slapped-cheek syndrome')
- most common presenting illness
- systemic symptoms: lethargy, fever, headache
- 'slapped-cheek' rash spreading to proximal arms and extensor surfaces
Other presentations
- asymptomatic
- pancytopaenia in immunosuppressed patients
- aplastic crises e.g. in sickle-cell disease (parvovirus B19 suppresses erythropoiesis for about a week so aplastic anaemia is rare unless there is a chronic haemolytic anaemia)