Abstract:
Introduction: Up to 50% of pregnant women infected with Parvovirus B19
infection may be asymptomatic, but vertical transmission can still occur. If a
pregnant woman gets Parvovirus B19 infection, there is a 30% chance of foetal
transmission with a 5 - 9% risk of foetal loss. Foetus can be affected at any stage
of the pregnancy with serious complications. Immunity to Parvovirus B19 has not
being studied in Sri Lanka before. Detection of IgG antibodies to Parvovirus B19
will identify immunity to infection in pregnant mothers.
Objective: To determine seroprevalence and describe associated factors for
Parvovirus B19 among pregnant women presenting to antenatal clinics in Mahara
MOH area in Gampaha district.
Methodology: All immunocopmpetent pregnant women who presented to
antenatal clinics in Mahara MOH area were included in the study until the
calculated sample size (n = 318) was reached, during the 3 months study period.
After obtaining informed written consent, interviewer administered structured
questionnaires were used to gather data on socio-demographic and associated
factors. Venous blood (5ml) was collected from and serum was separated and
stored at -40C until processing. Parvovirus B19 IgG ELISA tests were done at
Department of Virology, MRI to detect the immunity, using a validated
commercial ELISA kit. Results of the test were made available to clinicians at the
relevant antenatal clinics.
Results: Results analysis is pending
Discussion: Though in the past serodiagnostic tests were available at MRI,
currently testing for Parvovirus B19 is not available at MRI / government
laboratories. The results of this study may be useful in deciding re-establishment
of sero-diagnostic tests for Parvovirus B19 infection in government laboratories
in future.
