Human parvovirus B19 and low hemoglobin levels in pregnant Sudanese women.

Objective: To investigate risk factors for, and the seroprevalence of, parvovirus B19 (B19V), as well as the effect of B19V infection on patient hemoglobin levels.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Medani Hospital, Sudan between March and July, 2012. Patients with singleton pregnancies were enrolled in the study. Sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics were recorded and enzyme immunoassays were performed to screen for B19V IgG and IgM antibodies.

Results: The study enrolled 147 patients. The mean age, parity and duration of pregnancy of the patients were 27.1±5.4years, 2.1±1.3, and 28.1±6.5weeks of pregnancy, respectively. B19V IgG seropositivity was recorded in 73 (49.7%) individuals, with 1 (0.7%) patient seropositive for both B19V IgG and B19V IgM antibodies. Higher parity and residing in rural areas were associated with B19V IgG seropositivity under univariate analyses; however, no sociodemographic or obstetric characteristics were associated with B19V IgG seropositivity when multivariate analyses were performed. Hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in patients who were seropositive for B19V IgG in comparison with patients who were seronegative (99.0±10.0g/L vs 104.0±10.0g/L; P=0.008). Linear regression demonstrated a significant correlation between B19V IgG seropositivity and hemoglobin level (P=0.008).

Conclusion: B19V IgG seropositivity was 49.7% among the study group. These patients exhibited lower hemoglobin levels and a significant association was found between B19V IgG seropositivity and hemoglobin level.