[Role of parvovirus B19 as a causative agent for arthritis in children -- preliminary studies].

INTRODUCTION

Parvovirus B19 infection can be associated with arthritis in children and adults. The causative role of PB19 infection in arthritis and ulcerative synovitis would prove the etiology of juvenile idiopathic (jia) and reumatoid arthritis (ra).

AIM: The aim of this study was the evaluation of the role of PB 19 infection in children's arthritis.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The group of 41 children with the diagnosis of jia, arthralgia, reactive arthritis and nodular erythema according to EULAR criteria was examined. In early stage of arthritis lasting less than 3 months, there were 22 and in prolonged period lasting more than 3 months there were 19 children.

RESULTS

No evidence of PB19 genome was detected by PCR reaction in blood of the examined patients. The possible reasons of the obtained negative results in this study were discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

PB19 research should be performed in more cases of children's arthritis, both using PCR and by serological methods.