ABSTRACT
This is a case-controlled study conducted during the period from October 2006 till September 2007 in Basrah, with its aim being to estimate the overall prevalence of Human parvovirus B19 [HPV-B19] antibodies and their association to rheumatoid factor seropositivity among sickler/non-sickler arthropathic patients. A total of 182 blood samples were collected from arthropathic patients attending the clinics of orthopaedic/rheumatology, clinic of internal medicine, Basrah General Hospital, Hemoglobinopathies Center at the Maternity and Children Hospital. The patients include 90 arthropathic patients with or without Sickle Cell Diseases [SCD] and 92 samples from control group. HPV-B19 IgG antibodies were serologically detected by an Enzyme-Linked Imrnuno-Sorbent Assay [ELISA] and rheumatoid factor was detected by Latex agglutination test. The overall prevalence of HPV-B19 antibody in Basrah general population was 68.7%. The prevalence rate of antibodies among arthropathic patients in general was 76.9% but it was lower in arthropathic patients with SCD; 65.8%. These differences were statistically not significant [p>0.05] compared to control group. Eighty percent of individuals who had rheumatoid factor positive results were positive for HPV-B19 antibodies which indicate a significant association [P<0.05]. The seropositivity to HPV-B19 was increased with age. Small joints were the commonest site of manifestation which represents 78.1%, whether in a symmetrical [69.8%] or an asymmetrical pattern [74.5%]. HPV-B19 antibodies were significantly more [79.7%] among persons with history of blood transfusion compared to those with no such history [P<0.05]. However, the types of SCD had no significant effect on the prevalence of HPV-B19 antibodies [P>0.05]. There was a positive relation between HPV-B19 seropositivity and the duration of illness [p<0.05]. In conclusions, HPV-B19 is common with high prevalence in our region; there is a clear association between HPV-B19 infection and rheumatoid factor positivity. Individuals with sickle cell diseases, regardless of its type, and those with a history of blood transfusion were considered risk groups for acquiring HPV-B19 infections