[Seroprevalence and infection by human parvovirus B19 in pregnant women from Córdoba, Argentina, 2021-2022]

Introduction: parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection during pregnancy can be transmitted to the fetus and cause serious complications such as fetal hydrops and stillbirth. The preexistence of specific IgG prevents vertical transmission. Seroprevalence in fertile age is variable (50-70%) and depends on the region/viral circulation, in addition to factors such as maternal age and frequent exposure to children.

Objectives: to determine seroprevalence for B19V in pregnant women at Hospital Universitario de Maternidad y Neonatología (HUMN), analyze its association with predictive factors and describe cases of B19V infection.

Methods: observational, cross-sectional study. Patients treated at HUMN during 2021-2022 were included and compatible demographic and clinical data were recorded. Specific IgG was quantified and its association with predictive factors was analyzed by bivariate analysis (p<0.05). In cases with signs/symptoms associated with B19V, specific IgM and viral DNA were also determined. Results: 317 cases were studied and anti-B19V IgG was detected in 214/317 (67.5%). No association was found between seroprevalence and maternal age, multiparity, cohabitation with children under 15 years of age, or presence of maternal/fetal signs/symptoms. Ten cases (10.4%) of B19V infection were identified, all of them with anemia and one with fetal hydrops and VDRL+.

Conclusion: in the population studied, B19V seroprevalence for was 67.5% and independent of the predictive factors, leaving 32.5% without evidence of exposure to the virus (susceptible to contracting the infection in the future). The detection of infection in symptomatic cases indicates the importance of investigating B19V in this group.