Detection of a human parvovirus intrauterine infection with the polymerase chain reaction

OBJECTIVE: To detect human parvovirus B19 intrauterine infection in pregnancy with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). STUDY DESIGN: DNA of chorionic villi and amniotic fluid was extracted and the gene of human parvovirus B19 amplified with PCR. RESULTS: The study analyzed 61 specimens of chorionic villi and 26 specimens of amniotic fluid and found two positive specimens of chorionic villi and I positive specimen of amniotic fluid. CONCLUSION: The vertical transmission of human parvovirus B19 infection in early pregnancy may be a pathway of intrauterine infection. Chorionic villus sampling in early pregnancy and PCR could be developed as a method of prenatal diagnosis of human parvovirus B19 intrauterine infection.