[Obstructive respiratory tract diseases in children and Parvovirus B19 infections].

Acute respiratory diseases (ARD) due to parvovirus B 19 infection can be observed relative frequently in children. In 21 children (infants, toddlers and school children) we have seen acute or prolonged obstructive bronchitis/bronchiolitis (15 infants), acute subglottic laryngitis (3 toddlers) and acute asthmatic attacks (3 children of school age) in connection with parvovirus B 19 infection. Other respiratory viruses (adeno-, influenza, parainfluenza and RS-virus) could be excluded as agents causing the ARD. We suggest that parvovirus B 19 can provoke ARD with obstructive ventilatory disturbances of the upper or lower airways in children with a specific endogenous predisposition (small or unstable bronchial walls, or bronchial or tracheal mucosal hyperreactivity).