Molecular and Serological Study of Parvovirus B19 Infection among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients at Menoufia University Hospital

Elkhyat, Amira H.; Saied, Sara Ahmed; Galbat, Eman A.; Dawoud, Amal M.

doi:10.21608/ejmm.2022.247208

Molecular and Serological Study of Parvovirus B19 Infection among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients at Menoufia University Hospital

Document Type : New and original researches in the field of Microbiology.

Authors

¹ Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt

² Clinical Pathology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Egypt

³ Department of Physical Medicine, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt

⁴ Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt

10.21608/ejmm.2022.247208

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. Conflicting reports are available about the association between human parvovirus B19 (B19) infection and RA. Most studies were done in European and Asian countries, but only few studies were performed in Africa. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of parvovirus B19 infection in RA patients compared with healthy controls and to search for possible association of B19 viremia with disease activity and severity. Methodology: This case-control study was conducted on 50 RA patients who fulfilled the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League against Rheumatism classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis and 30 matched healthy controls. All participants were examined for parvovirus B19 infection by serological detection of anti-B19 IgM and IgG by ELISA and B19 DNA by nested PCR. Results: Parvovirus B19 DNA was detected in 17 (34%) of patients While controls were (6.7%) with a significant difference (0.005). There was significant difference between patients and controls (P=0.007) regarding IgG anti-B19 antibody but not anti-B19 IgM (P =0.59). There was a significant association between B19 viremia and all activity parameters. B19 positive patients had higher levels of ESR and CRP, higher DAS28 scores and more affected joints than B19 negative patients with statistically significant differences. B19 positive patients had significantly higher levels of RF and anti- CCP. Furthermore, B19 positive patients were more likely to have joint erosion. Conclusion: This study revealed that parvovirus B19 infection may play a role in the aetiopathogenesis of RA.

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