Detection of human parvovirus B19 DNA in 22% of 1815 cutaneous biopsies of a wide variety of dermatological conditions suggests viral persistence after primary infection and casts doubts on its pathogenic significance.

BACKGROUND: Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) has been associated with a number of dermatological and systemic conditions, including myocarditis and autoimmune syndromes. OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of B19V DNA detection in a large dermatopathology practice, and to characterize the histopathological patterns involved. METHODS: We selected for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of B19V a total of 1815 skin biopsies pertaining to entities allegedly related to B19V, as well as cases suspected clinically of representing paraviral exanthemas. Immunohistochemical detection of B19V viral protein 2 (VP2) was performed in 92 PCR-positive cases. RESULTS: B19V DNA was found by PCR in 402 out of 1825 biopsy specimens (22%). VP2 protein was identified by immunohistochemistry in only three instances of papular purpuric 'gloves-and-socks' syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: As the virus has the capacity to persist in different tissues (including the skin) for long periods, it could represent merely an innocent bystander, so no pathogenetic significance can be inferred from the PCR positivity for B19V in the vast majority of dermatological conditions studied.