ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To determine the seroprevalence of antibodies to human parvovirus B19 (PVB19) in a series of 92 blood donors in Galicia. METHODS: Antibodies of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) class were investigated in serum samples from 44 females and 48 males aged 18-63 years (mean: 29.40; SD: 10.81) using a commercial ELISA system consisting of highly specific recombinant antigen. RESULTS: Nine positive cases (9.78%; CI 95%: 4.76-17.98%) were detected, including six females and three males with a mean age slightly higher as compared to all blood donors group. The prevalence of antibodies against PVB19 increased with age. No sex or age differences in the positive results were observed. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate a PVB19 seroprevalence lower that in previous studies in several countries and in other areas in our country; since published references are limited in this community, complementary studies to establish the importance of this virus infection are justified.
