Increase in B19 viral load prior to relapse of anaemia in an AIDS patient with persistent B19 infection.

Anaemia caused by persistent parvovirus B19 infection can be remitted by intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. However, maintenance IVIG therapy is required in some AIDS patients as well as patients with combined immuno-deficiency because of relapse of anaemia. We used a simple semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to trace plasma B19 viral load after administration of IVIG. We noted that the rebound of B19 viral load occurred 6 weeks prior to detection of anaemia. This method may be helpful in determining the interval of maintenance IVIG therapy. Copyright 2001 The British Infection Society.