Max von Pettenkofer-Institut für Hygiene und Medizinische Mikrobiologie der L.-M.-Universität München.
Human parvovirus B19 is the causative agent of erythema infectiosum and other atypical (rubelliform) exanthemas. On account of the relatively high prevalence of B19, these infections are rather frequent. They usually occur during childhood, but also up to the age of 30, and there are various clinical manifestations. During pregnancy, B19 infection may cause hydrops of the fetus with ensuing fetal death. Anti-B19 IgM and IgG can be detected by means of ELISA or RIA; B19-DNA is identified by hybridization of nucleic acid.