Concurrent outbreaks of influenza and parvovirus B19 in a boys' boarding school

Abstract

SUMMARYIn the spring term of 1985 there was a protracted outbreak of upper respiratory tract febrile illness consistent with a clinical diagnosis of influenza in a boys' boarding school, which lasted from 23 January to 29 March. Although influenza virus infection was confirmed in 89 % of cases in the first half of the term, 53 % of the cases which occurred in the second half of the term had no evidence of infection with influenza virus. Between 5 February and 31 March 28 boys presented with skin rashes consistent with a clinical diagnosis of erythema infectiosum; 68 % of these were associated with parvovirus B19. Investigation of the cases of clinical influenza with no identified respiratory pathogen revealed a 58% infection rate with B19. B19 DNA was identified in either throat swabs or acute stage bloods of nine pupils with influenza-like symptoms.Cohort studies revealed that 44% of pupils aged 15-16 years were immune before the outbreak compared with only 17 % of pupils aged 11-12 years. Infection in the younger group was common and was associated with influenzalike illnesses as well as rashes. Forty-eight per cent of those who did not report any symptoms were also infected with B19.

Parvovirus B19 antibodies and correlates of infection in pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in central Nigeria

“…The proportion of the women that demonstrated IgM antibodies (p > 0.05) and IgG antibodies (p < 0.05) increased with the number of children in a household. A previous report claims that children are the main sources of transmission and outbreaks can persist for months in schools and day care centres due to the relatively large number of seronegative children that come in close contact with children within this environment (Grilli et al 1989). Another study reported that the infection is commonly passed through respiratory tract secretions from close personal contact (Corcoran & Doyle 2004).…”

Advances in the biology, diagnosis and host–pathogen interactions of parvovirus B19

“…Corcoran and S. Doyle .70 % of the adult population is seropositive (Kerr et al, 1999). Children are the main source of transmission and outbreaks can persist for months in schools and day-care centres, due to the relatively large number of seronegative children and close contact of children within this environment (Tuckerman et al, 1986;Grilli et al, 1989). The annual seroconversion rate among women of childbearing age has been estimated to be 1 .…”

Human Parvovirus B19: Molecular Virology, Clinical Features, Prevalence, Diagnosis and Control

“…B19 outbreaks can persist for months in schools as seronegative children represent a significant reservoir for B19 infection. Recently infected children therefore are the main source of transmission in day-care centres due to the relatively large number of seronegative children and the close contact of children within this environment (Tuckerman et al, 1986;Grilli et al, 1989). The annual seroconversion rate among women of childbearing age has been estimated to be 1.5% during endemic periods and 13% during epidemics (Koch and Adler, 1989;Valeur-Jensen et al, 1999).…”