PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST PARVOVIRUS B19 IN NORWEGIANS WITH CONGENITAL COAGULATION-FACTOR DEFECTS TREATED WITH PLASMA PRODUCTS FROM SMALL DONOR POOLS

The seroprevalence of antibodies against parvovirus B19 in 308 Norwegians with coagulation factor defects of different types and severities was assessed by an IgG antibody capture radioimmunoassay (GACRIA). The overall seroprevalence was 62%. The seroprevalence among subjects with different types of coagulation factor defects was related to the type and severity of the coagulation factor defect: severe hemophilia A 64%, moderate and mild hemophilia A 58%, severe hemophilia B 88%, moderate and mild hemophilia B 73%, and von Willebrand's disease 52%. The prevalence of parvovirus B19 antibodies among household contacts and blood donors was 49% and 42% respectively. This study confirms that replacement therapy with coagulation factors is accompanied by an increased risk for acquiring parvovirus B19 infection. However, the prevalence of parvovirus B19 antibodies among Norwegian hemophiliacs is well below the prevalence reported from other countries and probably reflects the small numbers of donors in plasma pools used for the preparation of coagulation factor concentrates.