Investigation of Relationship Between Parvovirus B19 Infection and Psoriasis

Background and Design: Psoriasis is a common, chronic, relapsing skin disease, characterized by the formation of typical scaly papules or plaques. The three factors well-recognized as triggering the onset, causing new lesions or inducing a flare in the disease are: stress, skin injury and infection. Various microorganisms are associated with provocation and/or exacerbation of psoriasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between parvovirus B19 (PVB19) and psoriasis/psoriasis area severity index (PASI). Material and Method: Sixty patients with psoriasis (36 men, 24 women) and 40 healthy volunteers (22 men, 18 women) were included in our study. PVB19 DNA was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: PVB19 DNA was detected in 27 of 60 subjects in the patient group (45%) and in 9 of 40 controls (22.5%) (p<0.05). Viral load was quantitatively detected as mean 9011768.5 +/- 6921223.3 copies/ml in the patient group and 10688.4 +/- 46828.1 copies/ml in the control group (p<0.05). There was no correlation between viral load and PASI (p>0.05). The relationship between the viral load and the subtypes of psoriasis was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it was concluded that a relationship may be present between psoriasis and PVB 19 infection. (Turkderm 2010; 44: 200-3)