Medicina (Nov 2021)

Parvovirus B19 in Croatia: A Large-Scale Seroprevalence Study

  • Tatjana Vilibic-Cavlek,
  • Irena Tabain,
  • Branko Kolaric,
  • Klara Mihulja,
  • Lana Blazevic,
  • Maja Bogdanic,
  • Dan Navolan,
  • Natasa Beader,
  • Anna Mrzljak

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57111279
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 57, no. 11
p. 1279

Abstract

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Background and Objectives: Seroepidemiological studies indicate that parvovirus B19 circulates in all areas of the world, although with some differences. The aim of this study is to analyze the seroprevalence of parvovirus B19 in the Croatian population. Materials and Methods: From 2010 to 2021, 1538 serum samples from different populations were tested for the presence of parvovirus B19 IgM/IgG antibodies. Serological tests were performed using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: IgG antibodies were detected in 986/64.1% of participants with differences (p Conclusions: Older age was the main risk factor for IgG seropositivity. Hemodialysis and organ transplantation seem unrelated to the increased parvovirus B19 seroprevalence. The role of parvovirus B19 in the etiology of TORCH infections needs to be studied further.

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