Parvovirus infection mimicking systemic lupus erythematosus

Semin Arthritis Rheum. 1995 Apr;24(5):297-303. doi: 10.1016/s0049-0172(95)80001-8.

Abstract

There are striking similarities between human parvovirus B19 (HPV-B19) infection and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): both may present with malar rash, fever, arthropathy, myalgia, cytopenia, hypocomplementemia, anti-DNA, and antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Therefore, it is difficult at times to differentiate HPV-B19 infection from SLE presentation or exacerbation. We report 4 cases of HPV-B19 infection mimicking SLE and review 10 other reported cases, all of whom were women. The similarity to a typical SLE presentation was indeed striking: most patients presented with rash, arthropathy, myalgia, fever, and positive ANA. In some cases, HPV-B19 infection seemed to exacerbate SLE rather then resemble it, and differentiation was difficult. Nearly all patients improved within several weeks. However, a few patients had symptoms and laboratory abnormalities lasting more than 6 months. The possibility of HPV-B19 infection should be entertained in patients presenting with SLE-like features.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / analysis
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Erythema Infectiosum / diagnosis*
  • Erythema Infectiosum / drug therapy
  • Erythema Infectiosum / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ibuprofen / administration & dosage
  • Ibuprofen / therapeutic use
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / diagnosis*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / physiopathology
  • Parvovirus B19, Human / immunology
  • Parvovirus B19, Human / isolation & purification
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Ibuprofen