ABSTRACT
Human parvovirus B19 (HP-19) is the only Parvoviridae known to be pathogenic in human. Studies of HP-19 infection and its associated life-threatening complications in sickle cell anemia patients have been reported in Europe and the US. These results justify the development of HP-B19 prevention and strategies to reduce the incidence of severe and life-threatening complications associated with the infection in patients with sickle cell anemia, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where the sickle cell anemia burden is high. In light of these considerations, we conducted a case-control study including 163 patients with sickle cell anemia and 163 controls. HP-B19 diagnosis was based on the detection of IgG and IgM antibodies specific for HP-B19 using commercially available enzyme immunoassays. Anti-human parvovirus B19 IgG antibodies were found in 105 of 193 (64.8%) patients vs 79 of 193 controls (48.4%). IgM antibodies were found at a higher frequency in sickle cell anemia patients than in controls. This higher frequency was found to be age-dependent. However, the reticulocyte count showed no significant decrease in Malian patients with sickle cell anemia. Further studies are needed to better characterize the implication of HP-B19 infection in sickle cell anemia mortality and morbidity and to develop preventive strategies and efficient management of the resulting complications.
