[Seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against parvovirus B19 among blood donors from Santiago, Chile]. 2007
BACKGROUND Parvovirus B19 (B19) is associated with a wide range of disease manifestations, whose severity depends on the immunological and hematological status of the host. Infection with B19 has been reported worldwide and the prevalence of immunoglobulin G antibodies against B19 increases with age and varies by location and time of the last B19 epidemic. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence of IgG antibodies against Parvavirus B19 virus in a population of volunteer blood donors at two hospital blood banks in Santiago, Chile. METHODS A total of 400 serum samples from blood donors aged 18 to 65 years, were examined for the presence of IgG antibodies against Parvovirus B19. RESULTS The overall prevalence of IgG antibodies was 54.8%. No significant difference was found between men and women (57.6% and 49.3%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS IgG antibody seroprevalence against Parvovirus B19, was 55% in this sample of Chilean blood donors. This figure is in agreement with previous reports from abroad.