RESUMO
To estimate the prevalence of IgG antibodies against B19 virus [B19V] in Makkah and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. B19V-specific IgG antibodies were detected by a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in sera of 400 paediatric patients [185 males and 215 females] aged 1-17 years. Results: Of the 400 patients, 80 [20%] had sera positive for B19V-specific IgG. The difference in the prevalence of the antibodies between genders was not statistically significant [p = 0.9]. The prevalence of anti-B19V antibodies increased significantly in the age group of 12-17 years as compared to younger patients [37.5 vs. 18% in those aged 1-11 years; p = 0.006 This study indicated a high prevalence of IgG antibodies against B19V in paediatric patients with an increase in age