Human parvovirus B19 infection resembling systemic lupus erythematosus

Intern Med. 1998 Aug;37(8):708-10. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.37.708.

Abstract

A 39-year-old female visited our hospital because of morning stiffness, arthralgia, skin rash of the extremities and general fatigue. On examination, she also had a malar rash and an oral ulcer. Laboratory findings revealed that antinuclear antibodies were positive and complement component levels (C3, C4, CH50) were all low. Serology for human parvovirus B19 (HPV-B19) was positive for both immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG. Gradually, her symptoms improved and laboratory data returned to normal range without medications. This case suggests that HPV-B19 infection may be attributed to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Erythema Infectiosum / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / diagnosis*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / virology
  • Parvovirus B19, Human* / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M