THE SEROPREVALENCE OF HUMAN PARVOVIRUS B19 ANTIBODIES AMONG PATIENTS WITH HOMOZYGOUS SICKLE CELL DISEASE IN LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL (LASUTH), IKEJA

Abstract

Background: It is known that Human Parvovirus B19 infection causes transient red cell
aplasia in sickle cell disease (SCD) and other chronic hemolytic conditions. This study aimed to
determine the seroprevalence of Human Parvovirus B19 antibodies and its association
with the haematological profile among patients with homozygous sickle cell disease in
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.
Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study of assenting paediatric and consenting adult
patients with homozygous sickle cell disease attending the paediatric and adult haematology
clinics of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) was carried out. Seroprevalence
of Parvovirus B19 was determined using Serion Elisa classic kits for Parvovirus B19 IgG and
IgM antibodies by Serion GmbH, Wurzburg, Germany. Results were analysed using SPSS 20
software and presented in tables. Fisher’s Exact test and Chi-square were used as appropriate. P
values < 0.05 were taken as significant.
Results: A total of ninety-two participants were recruited into the study, consisting of 39
(42.4%) males and 53 (57.6%) females. The mean age (±SD) of participants was 22.2 (±11.6)
years. Of the 92 participants, 50 (54.3%) were seropositive for anti-human Parvovirus B19 IgG
antibodies and 10 (10.9%) were seropositive for anti-human Parvovirus B19 IgM antibodies.
Participants that tested positive for both IgG and IgM antibodies were 7 (7.7%). The mean
haemoglobin concentration 6.90 ± 0.17g/dl and mean haematocrit 21.03 ± 0.06% in Parvovirus
B19 IgM+ only participants were found to be lower than in Parvovirus B19 IgG-& IgM-
participants 7.9 ± 1.44 g/dl and 24.15 ± 4.21% respectively.

There was a statistically significant relationship in mean hemoglobin concentration (P value
<0.001) and mean hematocrit (P value <0.001). The mean platelet count 352.67 ± 19.66 x 109/L
in Parvovirus B19 IgM+ only participants was also found to be lower than in Parvovirus B19
IgG-& IgM- participants 368.44 ± 131.53 x 109/L. However, there was no statistically significant
relationship in platelet count values. (P value = 0.86)There was also no statistically significant
relationship between Parvovirus B19 seropositivity and previous history of blood transfusion.
Conclusion: The seroprevalence of anti-human Parvovirus B19 IgG and IgM antibodies was
found to be 54.3% and 10.9 % respectively. Previous history of blood transfusion was not found
to be associated with Parvovirus B19 infection in this study.

THE SEROPREVALENCE OF HUMAN PARVOVIRUS B19 ANTIBODIES AMONG PATIENTS WITH HOMOZYGOUS SICKLE CELL DISEASE IN LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL (LASUTH), IKEJA