gms | German Medical Science

Parvovirus B19 causes erythema infectiosum (fifth disease) in children. Furthermore arthritis, anaemia, thombo- or granulocytopenia, hepatitis and myocarditis were found together with parvovirus B19 infections. Additionally the virus is associated with several autoimmune diseases. The virus can also be found in synovial fluid or in serum of patients with longstanding arthritis or rheumatic diseases. We investigated serum and aqueous fluid of patients with endogenous uveitis.

Sera of 70 consecutive patients with uveitis were investigated for IgG against structural proteins VP1 and VP2 and non-structural protein NS1 by western blot technique. Viral DNA in serum was assessed by quantitative PCR. Simultaneous DNA analysis was done with 11 aqueous fluid samples.

In 15 (21,4%, healthy population: 0,1%) of 70 serum sample (mean age 46,9 years, range 9-82 years, 48 women, 22 men) viral DNA was detected. IgG against structural protein VP1 or VP2 was found in 60 patients (85,7%, healthy population 80%) and IgG against non-structural protein NS1 in 33 patients (47,1%, healthy population: 22%). In none of the patients IgM antibody as a serological marker for an acute parvovirus infection was found. Patients with posterior uveitis (n = 11) had detectable serum DNA in 54,5%. In this group deterioration of visual acuity showed the highest number with 72,7% (all patients: 57%). The number of complications was also elevated to 2,5 (2,01). In two of eleven aqueous fluid samples viral DNA was detected.

Prevalence of IgG antibodies against NS1 protein in serum samples and DNA in serum and aqueous fluid samples is increased in uveitis patients compared to normal population. This points to a manifestation of a persistent infection. Posterior uveitis correlates with Parvovirus B19 DNA and seems to be associated with a higher complication rate.