Inspection of Parvovirus B19 in Patients with Beta Thalassemia Major

Abstract: Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a small, unwrapped, one strand DNA virus with a 18-26 nm icosahedral capsid. Blood transfusions as one method of treating thalassemia is also the main method of transmitting B19V from infected patients into thalassemia patients. Aim of Study: Inspection of Parvovirus B19 in patients with beta thalassemia by serological and molecular detection.Methods: A case-control study included 120 patients with beta thalassemia major and 50 healthy persons as (control). Whole blood samples were collected and divided into two parts, one for serological diagnosis by detection of anti-B19V IgM and IgG antibodies by ELISA and the other part for detection of NS1 gene of B19V by conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique. Results: Serological results revealed that 2 (1.6 %) and 36 (30%) of patients with beta thalassemia major were positive for anti- B19V IgM and IgG antibodies respectively. NS1 gene of B19V was detected in 15 (12.5%) of patients while the result was negative (0.0%) for control. Statistically there was high significant difference between the patients and control regarding presence of anti-B19V IgG antibody and detection of B19V NS1 gene. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest increasing of consequences of beta thalassemia major in patients infected with B19V. Keywords: Beta thalassemia major, ELISA, Parvovirus B19, PCR.