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Frequency of antiparvovírus B19 antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstracts

Objective:

To determine the frequency of antiparvovírus B19 (B19) antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and the possible correlation of anti-B19 seropositivity with disease activity and quality of life.

Patients and methods:

Serum samples from 57 patients with RA, 45 with SLE and 65 healthy controls were used. We applied protocol with clinical data, and the Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS 28), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) indexes. The anti-B19 serology was done by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results:

The mean age of patients was 42.74 ± 14.09 years, and of controls was 38.38 ± 13.42 years. 79 patients had active disease (77.5%), and 23 had inactive disease (22.5%). Anti-B19 (IgG) was positive in 49 (86.0%; CI 95% 77.0 - 95.0) RA patients, 38 (84.4%; CI 95% 73.9 - 95.0) SLE patients, and 40 (61.5%; CI 95% 49.7 - 73.4) controls (p = 0.002). Anti-B19 (IgM) was positive in 3 (5.3%; CI 95% 0.0 - 11.1) RA patients, in 7 (15.6%; CI 95% 5.0 - 26,2) SLE patients, and in 1 (1.5%; CI 95% 0.0 - 4.5) control (p = 0.011).There was no correlation of anti-B19 reactivity with disease activity and with DAS 28, HAQ and SLEDAI indexes.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated that the studied population is exposed to infection by B19, which demands attention with its manifestations, especially among patients at greatest risk, such as those immunosuppressed.

Human parvovirus B19; Rheumatoid arthritis; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Rheumatic diseases


Objetivo:

Determinar a frequência de anticorpos antiparvovírus B19 (B19) em pacientes com artrite reumatoide (AR) e lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES), e a possível correlação da soropositividade anti-B19 com a atividade das doenças e a qualidade de vida.

Pacientes e métodos:

Foram utilizadas amostras séricas de 57 pacientes com AR, 45 com LES e 65 controles sadios. Empregou-se protocolo com dados clínicos, os índices Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS 28), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) e Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Realizou-se a sorologia anti-B19 por ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA).

Resultados:

A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 42,74 14,09 anos, e a dos controles foi de 38,38 13,42 anos.Tinham doença ativa 79 (77,5%) pacientes, e doença inativa 23 (22,5%).Anti-B19 (IgG) foi reagente em 49 (86,0%) IC 95% (77,0 - 95,0)% pacientes com AR, em 38 (84,4%) IC 95% (73,9 - 95,0)% com LES e em 40 (61,5%) IC 95% (49,7 - 73,4)% controles (p = 0,002). Anti-B19 (IgM) foi reagente em 3 (5,3%) IC 95% (0,0 - 11,1)% pacientes com AR, em 7 (15,6%) IC 95% (5,0 - 26,2)% pacientes com LES e em 1 (1,5%) IC 95% (0,0 - 4,5)% controle (p = 0,011). Não houve correlação da reatividade anti-B19 com a atividade das doenças, os índices DAS 28, SLEDAI e HAQ.

Conclusão:

O presente estudo demonstrou que a população avaliada está exposta à infecção pelo B19, o que demanda atenção com suas manifestações, principalmente entre os pacientes que apresentam maior risco, como os imunossuprimidos.

Parvovírus B19 humano; Artrite reumatoide; Lúpus eritematoso sistêmico; Doenças reumáticas


Introduction

Human parvovirus B19 (B19), accidentally discovered in 1974,11. Cossart YE, Cant B, Field AM, Widdows D. Parvovirus-like particles in human sera. The Lancet. 1975;305(7898):72-3. is a small, non-enveloped, single strand DNA virus, family Parvoriridae, gender Erythrovirus. The viral particle has icosahedral symmetry, measuring between 22 and 24 nanometers, composed of two structural (VP1 and VP2) and one nonstructural (NS1) protein. The VP1 protein represents less than 5% of the viral capsid, while VP2 protein corresponds to more than 95%.22. Kaufmann B, Simpson AA, Rossmann MG. The structure of human parvovirus B19. Proc Nat Acad S U S A. 2004;101(32):11628-33. B19 only infects humans, and its transmission occurs mainly by respiratory and transplacental via. The transmission of B19 may occur occasionally, possibly through blood and blood products transfusions33. Hourfar MK, Wohlfart UM, Themann A, Sireis W, Seifried E, Schrezenmeier H, et al. Recipients potentially infected with parvovirus B19 by red blood cell products. Transfusion. 2011;51(1):129-36. and organ transplants.44. Brodin SA, Mekki Y, Bloquel B, Rabant M, Legendre C. [Parvovirus B19 infection after kidney transplantation]. Nephrol Ther. 2012 Feb;8(1):5-12.

B19 is the cause of erythema infectiosum (EI),55. Cossart Y. Parvovirus B19 finds a disease. The Lancet. 1981 Oct 31;2(8253):988-9. and is also responsible for conditions of severe anemia in patients with hemolytic diseases such as sickle cell anemia,66. Rao KRP, Patel AR, Anderson MJ, Hodgson J, Jones SE, Pattison JR. Infection with parvovirus-like virus and aplastic crisis in chronic hemolytic anemia. Annals Int Med. 1983;98(6):930.,77. Veríssimo MPA. Aplasia transitória da série vermelha na anemia falciforme. Rev Bras Hematol Hemoter. 2007;29(3):268-70. and bone marrow aplasia in immunocompromised hosts.88. Liang TB, Li DL, Yu J, Bai XL, Liang L, Xu SG et al. Pure red cell aplasia due to parvovirus B19 infeAction after liver transplantation: a case report and review of the literature. World J Gastroenterol. 2007 Apr 7;13(13):2007-10..99. Beckhoff A, Steffen I, Sandoz P, Hirsch HH, Schaub S. Relapsing severe anaemia due to primary parvovirus B19 infection after renal transplantation: a case report and review of the literature. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2007 Dec;22(12):3660-3.) Furthermore, allegedly B19 is charged as the main agent of non-immune hydrops fetalis, besides miscarriage and stillbirth.1010. Silva ARA, Nogueira SA, Alzeguir JCL, Costa MCFL, Nascimento JP. Prevalência de anticorpos IgG antiparvovírus B19 em gestantes durante o atendimento pré-natal e casos de hidropisia fetal não imune atribuídos ao parvovírus B19 na Cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Rev Soc Bras Med Tropical 2006:467-72.

11. Brown T, Anand A, Ritchie LD, Clewley JP, Reid TM. Intrauterine parvovirus infection associated with hydrops fetalis. The Lancet. 1984;2(8410):1033-4.
-1212. Nyman M, Tolfvenstam T, Petersson K, Krassny C, Sparre LS, Broliden K. Detection of human parvovirus B19 infection in first-trimester fetal loss. Obst Gyn. 2002;99:795-800.

Some studies associate B19 to neurological diseases1313. Douvoyiannis M, Litman N, Goldman DL. Neurologic manifestations associated with parvovirus B19 infection. Clin Infect Dis. 2009;48(12):1713-23.,1414. Kerr JR, Gough J, Richards SCM, Main J, Enlander D, McCreary M et al. Antibody to parvovirus B19 nonstructural protein is associated with chronic arthralgia in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis. J Gen Virol 2010;91:893-7. and hearing loss,1515. Nara M, Shirata Y, Kikuchi T, Hongo M. Adult human parvovirus-B 19 infection presenting with hearing difficulty and dizziness. Tohoku J Exp Med. 2011;224:57-9. and this viral infection can cause primarily manifestations that resemble those of autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as rashes, cytopenias, arthritis and autoantibodies.1616. Olivos AMG. Infecciones virales y compromiso articular. Rev Chil Reumatol. 2008:39-46.

17. Larrañaga C, León O, Díaz P, Miranda M, Norambuena X, Pérez M et al. Parvovirus B19 infection in chile: Markers of infection and immunity in patients with clinical symptoms. J Med Virol. 2007;79(12):1927-34.

18. Corcoran A. Advances in the biology, diagnosis and hostpathogen interactions of parvovirus B19. J Med Microb. 2004;53(6):459-75.
-1919. Oiwa H, Shimada T, Hashimoto M, Kawaguchi A, Ueda T, Sugiyama E et al. Clinical findings in parvovirus B19 infection in 30 adult patients in Kyoto. Mod Rheumatol. 2011;21(1):24-31. This makes it difficult to distinguish between B19 infection and autoimmune manifestations of the disease itself. At present, B19 is considered one of the possible agents of RA2020. Chen YS, Chou PH, Li SN, Tsai WC, Lin KH, Tsai KB et al. Parvovirus B19 infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Taiwan. J Rheumatol. 2006 May;33(5):887-91.

21. Franssila R, Hedman K. Viral causes of arthritis. B Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2006;20(6):1139-57.
-2222. Takahashi Y, Murai C, Shibata S, Munakata Y, Ishii T, Ishii K et al. Human parvovirus B19 as a causative agent for rheumatoid arthritis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1998;95:8227-32. and SLE2323. Pavlovic M, Kats A, Cavallo M, Shoenfeld Y. Clinical and molecular evidence for association of SLE with parvovirus B19. Lupus. 2010;19(7):783-92. in predisposed individuals.

Hedman and Franssila (2006) 2121. Franssila R, Hedman K. Viral causes of arthritis. B Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2006;20(6):1139-57. reported that during the course of infection with B19, serum autoantibodies can be detected in some patients, as rheumatoid factor (RF), antineutrophil cytoplasm (ANCA), anti-nuclear (ANA), anti-DNA, antimitochondrial (anti-M), antiphospholipid (anti-PL), anti-Sm, anticardiolipin (aCL) and anticollagen autoantibodies. Other authors detected in the serum of patients with persistent B19 infection, peptides homologous to those found in viral proteins and human cytokeratins, which favors the development of autoimmunity.2424. Lunardi C, Tinazzi E, Bason C, Dolcino M, Corrocher R, Puccetti A. Human parvovirus B19 infection and autoimmunity. Autoimmunity Reviews. 2008;8(2):116-20.

Although some authors reported high levels of B19 infection worldwide,2525. Huatuco EMM, Durigon EL, Lebrun FLAS, Passos SD, Gazeta RE, Neto RSA et al. Seroprevalence of human parvovirus B19 in a suburban population in São Paulo, Brazil. Rev S Pub. 2008;42(3):443-9.,2626. Azevedo KML, Setúbal S, Camacho LAB, Velarde LGC, Oliveira SA. Seroepidemiological study of human parvovirus B19 among human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients in a medium-sized city in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2009;104(6):901-4. most studies on this virus in patients with rheumatic diseases are conducted in European and Asian countries. In Latvia,2727. Kozireva SV, Zestkova JV, Mikazane HJ, Kadisa AL, Kakurina NA, Lejanieks AA et al. Incidence and clinical significance of parvovirus B19 infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol. 2008;35(7):1265-70.an European country, a study evaluated the prevalence of B19 infection in patients with RA versus a control group of healthy blood donors, with anti-B19 (IgG and IgM) serology by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) and by a search of viral DNA in patients' samples of plasma, peripheral blood leukocytes and cells of the synovial fluid, as well as in controls' plasma and peripheral blood leukocytes. The result was the detection of anti-B19 (IgG) in 79% of patients' plasma samples and in 77.7% of controls, and of anti-B19 (IgM) in 24% of patients' plasma samples and in 16% of controls. Viral DNA was detected in 16% of patients' plasma samples and in 2.1% of controls (p = 0.00086), and in 18% of patients' leukocytes and in 4.3% of controls (p = 0.0049) . The presence of B19 infection among patients with active and inactive disease was similar. However, the presence of anti-B19 (IgM) was shown to correlate with complications in clinical manifestations.

In a Taiwan study2828. Chen YS, Chou PH, Li SN, Tsai WC, Lin KH, Tsai KB et al. Parvovirus B19 infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Taiwan. J Rheumatol 2006;33:887-91. the authors investigated anti-B19 (IgG and IgM) antibodies and DNA in plasma and synovial fluid of RA patients and of healthy controls. The presence of anti-B19 (IgG and/or IgM) in plasma was positive in 93.6% of patients and in 32.7% of controls (p <0.001), in 55.6% of samples of synovial fluid of patients and in 19.2% of samples from controls (p = 0.005). The viral DNA was positive in 30.6% of samples of plasma from patients and in 9.1% of controls (p = 0.005), and in 75.0% of synovial fluid samples of patients and in 26.9% of the controls (p = 0.015). Among patients with RA, a correlation between the presence of viral DNA and HLA DR4 was found.

In another study, it was demonstrated an association between presence of IgM anti-protein NS1 of B19 and cyclic citrullinated antipeptide IgG (anti-CCP) in patients with RA, particularly among those with persistent viral DNA in joint tissues. Moreover, the presence of anti-NS1 did not correlate with the activity index DAS 28.2929. Tzang B-S, Tsai C-C, Tsay GJ, Wang M, Sun Y-S, Hsu T-C. Antihuman parvovirus B19 nonstructural protein antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Chim Acta. 2009;405(1-2):76-82.

Due to a possible association between B19 infection and rheumatic diseases, and in view of the scarcity of studies on this virus in patients with RA and SLE in our scenario, we consider appropriate an investigation on this subject.

We also consider as relevant the evaluation of the staging of these diseases and the immune status in patients with RA and SLE affected by this viral infection, since the literature indicates the possibility of immunological changes caused by the virus.

Objective

To evaluate the frequency of anti-B19 (IgG and IgM) in patients with RA and SLE compared with healthy controls, and to evaluate the possible correlation of anti-B19 seropositivity with disease activity, activity indexes (DAS 28 and SLEDAI) and quality of life (HAQ).

Patients and methods

167 volunteers were included in this study: 57 patients with RA and 45 with SLE treated at the Department of Rheumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Goiás (UFG-HC), and a control group of 65 healthy volunteers. For inclusion in the study, patients had to fulfill the classification criteria for RA of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR),3030. Arnett FC, Edworthy SM, Bloch DA, McShane DJ, Fries JF, Cooper NS et al. The American Rheumatism Association 1987 revised criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 1988 Mar;31(3):315-24. or, for SLE,3131. Tan EM, Cohen AS, Fries JF, Masi AT, McShane DJ, Rothfield NF et al. The 1982 revised criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum. 1982 Nov;25(11):1271-7.,3232. Hochberg MC. Updating the American College of Rheumatology revised criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum. 1997 Sep;40(9):1725. could not present other rheumatic diseases, malignancies or any infectious disease, and should have > 18 years of age.

The activity of RA was assessed by Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS 28),3333. van Gestel AM, Prevoo ML, van 't Hof MA, van Rijswijk MH, van de Putte LB, van Riel PL. Development and validation of the European League Against Rheumatism response criteria for rheumatoid arthritis. Comparison with the preliminary American College of Rheumatology and the World Health Organization/International League Against Rheumatism Criteria. Arthritis Rheum. 1996 Jan;39(1):34-40. which considers active disease when its value exceeds 2.6, and quality of life was measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ).3434. Bruce B, Fries JF. The Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire: dimensions and practical applications. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2003;1:20. The activity of SLE was assessed by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI),3535. Bombardier C, Gladman DD, Urowitz MB, Caron D, Chang CH. Derivation of the SLEDAI. A disease activity index for lupus patients. The Committee on Prognosis Studies in SLE. Arthritis Rheum. 1992 Jun;35(6):630-40. which considers the presence of active disease when the value is > 3.

The study of circulating anti-B19 antibodies (IgG and IgM) was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELI-SA) with parvovirus B19 RIDASCREEN kit, with sensitivity of 91.3% for IgG and 91.7% for IgM, and with specificity of 97% for IgG and 93.8% for IgM, according to information from rbiopharm, the reagent manufacturer. In the study of anti-B19 (IgM) we employed a precipitant substance for removal of IgG antibodies and rheumatoid factor.

In statistical analysis, the chi square test, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression analysis were applied, using SPSS package version 15.0, considering as significant p values <0.05 and a confidence interval (CI) of 95%.

This study was reviewed and approved by the Research Ethics Committee at Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Goiás (UFG-CEP-HC), with the number 093/2010. All volunteers received due explanation on the procedures and signed the Informed Consent Form (ICF).

Results

Patients were aged 18 - 76 years with a mean of 42.74 ± 14.09 years. The controls were aged 18 - 64 years with a mean of 38.38 ± 13.42 years. Among the 102 patients, 79 (77.5%) had active disease, with 37 (46.8%) with SLE and 42 (53.2%) with RA. The mean SLEDAI score between patients with SLE in activity was 9.92 ± 5.32. DAS 28 was calculated for 35 patients with RA activity, with a mean of 5.03 ± 1.19. The value of HAQ for 33 of these patients was determined, with a mean of 1.51 ± 0.91.

The search for circulating anti-B19 IgG was positive in 49 (86.0%; CI 95% 77.0 - 95.0) RA patients, in 38 (84.4%; CI 95% 73, 9 - 95.0) SLE patients and in 40 (61.5%; CI 95% 49.7 - 73.4) controls (p = 0.002). The presence of anti-B19 (IgM) was observed in 3 (5.3%; CI 95% 0.0 - 11.1) RA patients, 7 (15.6%; CI 95% 5, 0 - 26.2) SLE patients and 1 (1.5%; CI 95% 0.0 - 4.5) control (p = 0.011) (Table 1).

Table 1
Frequency of anti-B19 (IgG and IgM) in patients with RA and SLE and controls in Goiânia, Goiás, between August 2010 and August 2011.

The anti-B19 (IgG) reactivity was shown in 69 (87.3%; CI 95% 80 - 94.7) patients with active disease and in 18 (78.3%; CI 95% 61,4 - 95.1) with inactive disease (p = 0.222). The anti-B19 (IgM) reactivity occurred in 8 (10.1%; CI 95% 3.5 - 16.8) of patients with active disease and in 2 (8.7%; CI 95% 0.0 - 20.2) patients with inactive disease (p = 0.600) (Table 2).

Table 2
Frequency of anti-B19 (IgG and IgM) in patients with RA and SLE in activity in Goiânia, Goiás, between August 2010 and August 2011.

In the evaluation of anti-B19 reactivity and of the index of activity in RA (DAS 28), it was observed that in those anti-B19 (IgG) reactive (n = 32) patients, the mean DAS 28 was 4.98 ± 1.15. In anti-B19 (IgG) nonreactive (n = 3) patients, the mean DAS 28 was 5.67 ± 1.65 (p = 0.340). When the anti-B19 reactivity (IgM) was evaluated, only one patient had this antibody, and the value of DAS 28 was 3.40. Among these anti-B19 IgM non-reactive (n = 34) patients, the mean DAS 28 was 5.08 ± 1.17 (p = 0.237) (Table 3).

Table 3
Frequency of anti-B19 (IgG and IgM) in patients with active RA and mean of DAS 28 in Goiânia, Goiás, between August 2010 and August 2011.

The quality of life index (HAQ) was calculated for 33 patients with active disease. Among these patients, 29 had anti-B19 (IgG) reactive with a mean HAQ of 1.43 ± 0.92 and four had anti-B19 (IgG) non-reactive with a mean HAQ of 2.05 ± 0.71 (p = 0.216). Anti-B19 (IgM) reactive was observed in only one patient with HAQ = 3.40 and anti-B19 (IgM) non-reactive in 32, with a mean HAQ of 1.54 ± 0.90 (p = 0.293) (Table 4).

Table 4
Frequency of anti-B19 (IgG and IgM) in patients with active RA and mean HAQ in Goiânia, Goiás, between August 2010 and August 2011

Among SLE patients with active disease (n = 37), anti-B19 (IgG) was reactive in 30 (81.1%) with a mean SLEDAI of 9.83 ± 5.04, and among those with anti-B19 (IgG) non-reactive (n = 7) (18.9%), the mean SLEDAI score was 9.94 ± 5.45 (p = 0.965). Seven patients had anti-B19 (IgM) reactive, with a mean SLE-DAI score of 9.63 ± 5.73. Among those with anti-B19 (IgM) non-reactive, the mean SLEDAI was 11.14 ± 5.28 (p = 0.496) (Table 5).

Table 5
Frequency of anti-B19 (IgG and IgM) in patients with active SLE and mean SLEDAI in Goiânia, Goiás, from August 2010 to August 2011.

Discussion

This is the first Brazilian study on the frequency of anti-B19 in SLE and RA. In this study we investigated the presence of circulating antibodies in these patients, compared with the healthy population, and the possible influences of B19 infection in the clinical staging of these patients. In international publications, the inclusion of molecular studies reinforces the serological findings and points to evidence of the influence of this virus in the development of autoimmune diseases.

This study showed a high frequency of anti-B19 in the population evaluated, being greater among patients.

In this group of patients, the anti-B19 serology was not associated with presence of manifestations such as anemia, arthritis, neuropathy and thyroiditis, nor with the development of autoantibodies.

The anti-B19 reactivity (IgG and IgM) observed in patients with RA and SLE in our geographical region was similar to that found in studies of Kozireva et al.,2727. Kozireva SV, Zestkova JV, Mikazane HJ, Kadisa AL, Kakurina NA, Lejanieks AA et al. Incidence and clinical significance of parvovirus B19 infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol. 2008;35(7):1265-70. in Latvia, and of Chen et al.,2828. Chen YS, Chou PH, Li SN, Tsai WC, Lin KH, Tsai KB et al. Parvovirus B19 infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Taiwan. J Rheumatol 2006;33:887-91. in Taiwan, both evaluating patients with RA. These findings of high frequency of anti-B19 in patients with rheumatic diseases may result from a greater propensity, of these patients, in acquire viral infections due to immunosuppression or by some characteristic of the immune system in these patients, making them more susceptible to infection with this virus. Also, we cannot rule out the possibility of this virus acting as a trigger for RA and SLE.

We are concerned about the fact of the persistence of viral DNA and the presence of IgM antibodies with respect to the diagnosis of infection, a relation with the autoimmune disease activity and the administration of immunosuppressive drugs. There is no definition about the risk of the presence of acute B19 infection and immunosuppressive therapy.

In the present study we found a correlation between anti-B19 (IgG) reactivity and the rheumatic diseases evaluated, similar to that observed by Chen et al.,3131. Tan EM, Cohen AS, Fries JF, Masi AT, McShane DJ, Rothfield NF et al. The 1982 revised criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum. 1982 Nov;25(11):1271-7. who, besides a correlation between presence of antibodies and disease, also noted a correlation between presence of viral DNA in plasma and in synovial fluid of RA patients. In the evaluation of anti-B19 reactivity (IgM), we noted a correlation only with SLE. The results found in this study were different from that observed by Kozireva et al.,3030. Arnett FC, Edworthy SM, Bloch DA, McShane DJ, Fries JF, Cooper NS et al. The American Rheumatism Association 1987 revised criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 1988 Mar;31(3):315-24. who showed no correlation between the frequency of anti-B19 (IgG and IgM) and RA antibodies, but showed correlation when evaluating the presence of viral DNA in plasma, in synovial fluid and in peripheral blood leukocytes.

The anti-B19 reactivity (IgG and IgM) in participants of the present study was not significantly associated with disease activity; this was also observed by Kozireva et al.3030. Arnett FC, Edworthy SM, Bloch DA, McShane DJ, Fries JF, Cooper NS et al. The American Rheumatism Association 1987 revised criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 1988 Mar;31(3):315-24. This result suggests that the presence of large amounts of antibodies of the IgG class, as demonstrated in the two studies, prevented that the virus, if present, alter the course of disease, and the disease was observed due to immune status of the individual patient or activity other factors not assessed, and not due to the presence of the virus in patients.

In the present study we found no correlation between anti-B19 (IgG and IgM) reactivity and activity indexes (DAS 28 and SLEDAI) and quality of life (HAQ). These findings demonstrate that the anti-B19 reactivities (IgG and IgM), indicators of previous and acute infection, respectively, did not correlate with clinical and laboratory aspects able to modify the indexes DAS 28, HAQ and SLEDAI. It is also possible that this high frequency of anti-B19 (IgG) reveal only that the studied population is constantly exposed to the presence of the virus without, however, apparent infection.

In a case report conducted by Suzuki et al.,3636. Suzuki T, Saito S, Hirabayashi Y, Harigae H, Ishiii T, Kodera T et al. Human parvovirus B19 infection during the inactive stage of systemic lupus erythematosus. Internal Medicine 2003;42(6):538-40. the authors reported the presence of B19 infection in a patient with SLE; its manifestation was similar to active disease, pointing in this publication the occurrence of common symptoms of acute infection and disease activity.

Studies published by Pavlovic et al.2323. Pavlovic M, Kats A, Cavallo M, Shoenfeld Y. Clinical and molecular evidence for association of SLE with parvovirus B19. Lupus. 2010;19(7):783-92. and Lunardi et al.2424. Lunardi C, Tinazzi E, Bason C, Dolcino M, Corrocher R, Puccetti A. Human parvovirus B19 infection and autoimmunity. Autoimmunity Reviews. 2008;8(2):116-20. suggest the possibility of autoimmunity after B19 infection, due to similarities between molecules of this virus and host molecules. Furthermore, the work of Lunardi et al.2424. Lunardi C, Tinazzi E, Bason C, Dolcino M, Corrocher R, Puccetti A. Human parvovirus B19 infection and autoimmunity. Autoimmunity Reviews. 2008;8(2):116-20. suggested that manifestations similar to RA in patients infected with B19 may occur by deposition of viral antigen-antibody complexes in these patients' joints.

In the present study, low reactivity anti-B19 (IgM) was observed, indicating recent infection, both among patients and controls. Although most patients with anti-B19 reactivity (IgM) exhibited disease activity, it was not possible to identify changes in these patients that could be attributed specifically to the viral action. On the other hand, acute infection, identified by the presence of anti-B19 (IgM), may have favored the reactivation of disease. Similar findings were observed by Hsu and Tsai,3737. Hsu TC, Tsay GJ. Human parvovirus B 19 infection in patients with systemic lupus eritematosus. Rheumatology. 2001;40:152-7. but with different findings in Kerr and Cuniff.3838. Kerr JR, Cunniffe VS. Antibodies to Parvovirus B 19 nonstructural protein are associated with cronic but not acute arthirits following B 19 infection. Rheumatology. 2000;39:903-8.

In this study, we noted that the frequency of anti-B19 (IgG) among controls, a healthy population, was similar to that found in Chilean blood donors,3939. Gaggero A, Rivera J, Calquim E, Larrañaga CE, León O, Díaz P et al. Seroprevalencia de anticuerpos IgG contra parvovirus B19 en donantes de sangre de hospitales en Santiago, Chile. Rev Méd Chile 2007;135:443-8. and higher than that observed in women of reproductive age in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.4040. Rios WLF. "Prevalência da infecção de parvovírus B-19 em mulheres em idade fértil no município de Goiânia" [Dissertação] 2008. These findings indicate that the frequency of prior infection in the healthy population in our region is within the patterns observed in the literature.

However , the finding of a higher frequency of reactivity observed among controls, compared with the study of Rios (2008),4040. Rios WLF. "Prevalência da infecção de parvovírus B-19 em mulheres em idade fértil no município de Goiânia" [Dissertação] 2008. may be associated with a higher age group than the observed in the volunteers in our study. Another possibility is the constant presence of the volunteers in this study in a hospital setting, since they were mainly recruited among caregivers and blood donors. Also, we cannot rule out the different characteristics of the evaluated serum samples, since in our study we used freshly harvested samples, unlike the Rios study, who analyzed samples of sera bank.

Conclusion

In the present study, we demonstrated that the analyzed population is exposed to infection by B19; this finding demands attention with its manifestations, especially among immunosuppressed patients at greater risk of acquiring viral infections.

  • Funding
    This study received partial financial support from FUNDAHC - Fundação de Apoio ao Hospital das Clínicas da UFG.

Acknowledgements

To medical residents in rheumatology at UFG, Lucio Yamaguchi, Fernanda Lourenço Rodrigues and Nubia Borges Goulart, for the clinical assessment of patients, and to the HC/UFG medical archive sector employees.

REFERÊNCIAS

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Feb 2014

History

  • Received
    26 Nov 2012
  • Accepted
    23 Apr 2013
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