Parvovirus B19-induced apoptosis of hepatocytes.

Parvovirus B19 (B19 virus) can persist in multiple tissues and has been implicated in a variety of diseases, including acute fulminant liver failure. The mechanism by which B19 virus induces liver failure remains unknown. Hepatocytes are nonpermissive for B19 virus replication.

Hepatitis E virus infection prevalence among selected populations in Iowa.

Background: HEV causes an enteric infectious disease endemic in developing areas with hot climate. A case of endogenous HEV infection has been reported in the US. Recently, HEV-like virus was isolated from swine in Iowa.

Human parvovirus B19 infection in acute fulminant liver failure.

We previously reported detection of human parvovirus B19 DNA in livers from patients requiring transplantation for acute fulminant liver failure. In this study, we used immune adherence PCR (IA-PCR) to bind B19 virions in recipient native liver onto solid phase with specific monoclonal antibodies followed by PCR amplification of virion DNA. IA-PCR had sensitivity and specificity similar to conventional PCR.

Decline of hepatitis A antibodies during the first 7 months of life in full-term and preterm infants.

In a previous study we have shown that transplacental transfer of hepatitis A antibodies to preterm infants does not differ from that observed in full-term infants. This follow-up study was designed to investigate the decline of hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies during the first 7 months of life in full-term and preterm infants, in an endemic region for hepatitis A. Two hundred and fifty newborn infants--147 full-term and 103 preterm infants--were enrolled.