DETECTION OF HUMAN PARVOVIRUS B19 AMONG PATIENTS WITH FEVER-RASH LIKE ILLNESS IN NORTH INDIAN POPULATION

Introduction: The present study designed to investigate Human parvovirus B19 (HPV-B19) as an etiological agent of rash–fever ill patients confirmed negative for measles and rubella infection which is responsible for the same symptoms in North Indian population. Materials and Methods: Total 319, negative serum samples selected after measles/rubella IgM antibodies detection. The patients between the age of (4 to 52 years) with fever and rash-like illness were divided into four groups: 4-14, 15-25, 26-36 and >37 years old. The serological analysis was done by Indirect IgM ELISA and Real-time PCR used for molecular identification of HPV-B19 in this study. Results: The prevalence of HPV-B19 was found to be 29.4% by both methods in Measles and Rubella negative serum samples. We found a 29.4% positive result by HPV-B19 IgM ELISA and 7.5% positive by Real-time PCR against HPV-B19 infection. The results have been statistically significant (p= 0.0001*). The highest prevalence (38.5%) was found between 15-25 years of age group. Conclusion: The study was designed to find the frequency of HPV-B19 infection and observed that the patients with negative results for measles and rubella infection having the probability of HPV-B 19 infection in this region. The combined approach of the serological and molecular method confirms the contribution of HPV-B19 in the etiological role of fever-rash illness and provides the exact differential diagnostic approach for disease management.