Human parvovirus B19 infection: its role in acute arthropathies

Viral infections have a number of important effects on the immune system. Infection with human parvovirus B19 [B19] has a diverse range of clinical manifestations including erythema infectiosum, polyarthropathy, transient aplastic crisis, hydrops fetalis and fetal death as well as chronic infection and anemia in immunocompromised hosts. Since its discovery in 1975, it has been noted that HPV B19 frequently causes a self-limiting polyarthritis in adults. It has also been debated whether, in some patients, B19 may act as a trigger for RA. The aim was to determine the incidence and significance of antibodies to the parvovirus B19, we detected the presence of B19 IgM and IgG antibodies in 40 rheumatoid arthritis [RA] patients, 10 SLE patients, 10 osteoarthritis patients and 30 normal adults. B19 IgM was positive in 60% of RA patients. This rate was significantly higher than the control group. They were mostly females [70%], duration of illness was 3 months to one year [68.7%] with polyarthritis, large and small joints were more affected [72.7%] with manifestations of acute inflammation. Rheumatoid factor [RF] was negative in 70% of them. Regarding osteoarthritis patients, B19 IgM antibodies were detected in 40% of them. They were females [60%] with polyarthritis, large and small joints were more affected [75%]. On the other hand B19 IgM antibodies were not detected in SLE patients or in the control group. Parvovirus B19 is important viral agent causing joint manifestations and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute arthropathy in adults, as early treatment of these cases results in fewer complications

Parasitology survey and seroepidemiology of amoebiasis in South Kalimantan (Borneo), Indonesia.

A parasitology surevy was conducted among inhabitants of 7 villages in 3 regencies in South Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. A total of 2,169 stool specimens, 2,756 blood smears and 1,027 serum specimens were obtained, representing samples from approximately 10%, 12% and 5% of the population, respectively. One to 8 different intestinal parasitic infections were detected in 97% of the people. Those parasites most frequently found were Trichuris trichiura (83%), Ascaris lumbricoides (79%), and hookworm (65%), followed by Entamoeba coli (37%), Endolimaxnana (12%), Entamoeba histolytica (12%), Iodamoeba bütschlii (11%), Giardia lamblia (5%), Entamoeba hartmanni (2%), Chilomastix mesnili (2%). Other parasites found were Enterobius vermicularis, Strongyloides stercoralis, Capillaria sp., Echinostoma sp., Hymenolepis diminuta, and Trichomonas hominis. Giardia lamblia was found more often in younger people and Entamoeba coli, Iodamoeba bütschlii and hookworm in the older age group. Ascaris lumbricoides occurred more frequently in females, and hookworm in males. Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum were found in the blood smears of 4.4% of the people, mostly in the younger age groups. Seroepidemiological studies on amoebiasis were done by use of the indirect hemagglutination test with antigens prepared from the HK9 strain of Entamoeba histolytica maintained in axenic cultures. The frequency distribution of the reciprocal antibody titers showed a bimodal distribution with 34% of the population demonstrating positive reactions at titers of 1:128 or greater.