Human parvovirus B19 (Parvovirus B19)

Human parvovirus B19 is a small, non-enveloped, icosahedral DNA virus in the Parvoviridae family, genus Erythroparvovirus. Its capsid is formed from two structural proteins, VP1 and VP2, and it contains a single-stranded linear DNA genome about 5,600 nucleotides in length[3][6]. B19V infects only humans, with a marked tropism for erythroid progenitor cells in bone marrow, leading to a variety of clinical manifestations, particularly in children, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and patients with hemolytic disorders. It is the causative agent of erythema infectiosum (fifth disease) and is associated with other conditions such as transient aplastic crisis, hydrops fetalis, myocarditis, and arthropathy[4][3][6]. The virus is structurally highly resilient due to the absence of a lipid envelope, making it resistant to heat and solvents[3]. No approved specific antiviral treatments or vaccines exist; current management is supportive, with immunoglobulin therapy used in severe or chronic cases. Although its structure and antigenicity have been well studied, parvovirus B19 is not a classical therapeutic target such as a receptor or enzyme, but rather a pathogen[4][3][5].

Other names

B19 virusB19VErythroparvovirus B19Human B19 parvovirus

Neutralization of virus by antibodies (for IVIG), inhibition of viral replication (investigational agents), no small-molecule direct antiviral approved