An outbreak of erythema infectiosum associated with human parvovirus infection

TLDR

Erythema infectiosum (EI), also known as fifth disease, is a mild, acute exanthematous illness primarily affecting children, whose viral cause had remained unidentified. In May 1983, an outbreak of EI‑like exanthematous illness was reported in a North London primary school, where 43.9 % of attending children reported symptoms consistent with EI. Virological testing of 36 cases linked the illness to human parvovirus, and pre‑existing parvovirus antibodies protected 16 of 17 close contacts, supporting that EI is the common manifestation of human parvovirus infection.

Abstract

SUMMARY Erythema infectiosum (EI) or fifth disease is a mild, acute exanthematous disease, occurring mainly among children, for which a causative virus has long been sought. In May 1983 an outbreak of exanthematous illness was reported in a primary school in North London. Children attending the school were investigated by questionnaire and 162 (43·9%) reported an illness with the features of EI. In each of 36 cases investigated virologically the illness was associated with parvovirus infection. Moreoever, pre-existing antibody to parvovirus was correlated with protection from EI in 16 of 17 close family contacts of cases. We propose therefore that EI is the common manifestation of infection with the human parvovirus.