IMAJ | volume 12
Journal 5, May 2010
pages: 277-279
Summary
Background:
Human parvovirus B19 is a global and common infectious pathogen in humans, primarily in children.
Objectives:
To assess the immunoglobulin G seroprevalence of B19 in children in Israel.
Methods:
Overall, 128 previously healthy children (1.5–17 years old) hospitalized for various diseases other than acute human parvovirus B19 infection were assessed for IgG[1] to the virus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:
The IgG seroprevalence increased from 22% in children aged 1.5–9 years to 52% in older children (P = 0.001).
Conclusions:
Our data suggest that most acute parvovirus B19 infections in Israel occur in the early school years, and that by 18 years of age 50% of Israeli children have been infected by the virus.
[1] IgG = immunoglobulin G