ABSTRACT
Background: Human Parvovirus B19 (HPVB19) belongs to the family Parvoviridae; causes Erythema infectiosum; aplastic crises in persons with blood disorder and prolonged anaemia in immuno-compromised persons. During pregnancy the virus may be transmitted to the foetus which can result in hydrops foetalis; spontaneous abortion or intrauterine foetal death. The study determined the sero-prevalence of IgG antibodies to HPVB19 among patients in Kano metropolis in order to provide information on their immune status and the possible risk factors for acquiring the virus.Method: The study population comprised 460 patients seen at the outpatient department of two hospitals in Kano whose mean age was 28.8 (range 0 -70) years. Questionnaire was used to obtain data on socio-demography and risk factors. Blood sample was collected from each patient; serum was obtained and analysed for IgG antibodies to HPVB19 by ELISA according to manufacturer's instruction. Result/ Discussions: Sero-prevalence of 41.5) recorded among patients ?51 years old while the lowest prevalence was among those 1 year old (?20.05). Highest seropositivity was observed among farmers (64.2:18/28) while the lowest was among retired persons (27.2:3/11). There was significant association between HPVB19 and level of formal education attained (?2 =10.363; df=4; P=0.03) and number of persons living in a house (?2 =14.30; df=1; P=0.00). There was no association between HPVB19 and marital status (P=0.3) and type of residence (P=0.5). Blood transfusion (OR=2.0:1; P=0.08) and sickle cell anaemia (OR=1.7:1; P=0.08) were important risk factors for HPVB19 transmission in this study. Having blood transfusion showed a 2.0 fold risk while having sickle cell showed a 1.7 fold risk of acquiring HPVB19 infection. During the study; 48.2 of women of child bearing age had antibodies to HPVB19 IgG antibodies leaving about 52 still susceptible to the virus.Conclusion: Seroprevalence to B19 among patients was low leaving a large proportion of the population especially women in Kano still susceptible to B19 infection