ABSTRACT
Human parvovirus 819 has worldwide distribution, and epidemics of 819 infection or sporadic cases may occur. The incidence of 819 lgG seropositivity is 40-60% in adults more than 20 years old (77). Standard IVIG preparations contain high titers of antibodies against parvovirus 819 (78), and antibodies in IVIG preparations have been shown to neutralize the virus (79). Anecdotal experience suggests that IVIG could be useful in the therapy of chronic or severe 819 infection (78-86). IVIG has been used successfully in the therapy of B 19 infection in a hypogammaglobulinemic infant with neurological disorders and anemia (81). Passive administration of 819 antibodies present in the IVIG preparation appeared to clear viral infection in this patient, and clinical manifestations of the disease disappeared as well. Anecdotal results also indicate potential effectivity in other rare cases of red cell aplasia associated with parvovirus infection. Treatment attempts have been reponed on single patients with this disease, with or without associated HIV infection. However, treatment results were inconsistent, ranging from dramatic improvement (78,80) to treatment failure (87).
