Occupational risk of human parvovirus B19 infection for school and day-care personnel during an outbreak of erythema infectiosum.

Abstract

Human parvovirus B19, the cause of erythema infectiosum, has recently been associated with adverse fetal outcomes. During a large outbreak of erythema infectiosum in Connecticut, a survey was conducted on 571 (90%) of 634 school and day-care personnel to determine the risk of acquiring B19 infection. Serologic evidence of B19 infection was determined by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of the school and day-care personnel, 58% had evidence of previous B19 infection. The minimal rate of B19 infection in susceptible personnel during the outbreak was 19%. The risk was increased for teachers and day-care providers who had contact with younger children and with greater numbers of ill children. These results suggest that B19 infection is an occupational risk for school and day-care personnel.

• Authors: S M Gillespie, M L Cartter, S Asch, J B Rokos, G W Gary, C J Tsou, D B Hall, L J Anderson, E S Hurwitz
• Journal: JAMA (JAMA) Vol. 263 Issue 15 Pg. 2061-5 (Apr 18 1990) ISSN: 0098-7484 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2157074 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Immunoglobulin G
• Immunoglobulin M

Topics

• Adult
• Child
• Child Day Care Centers
• Connecticut (epidemiology)
• Disease Outbreaks
• Erythema (epidemiology, etiology, immunology)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G (analysis)
• Immunoglobulin M (analysis)
• Occupational Diseases (etiology, immunology)
• Parvoviridae Infections (epidemiology, etiology, immunology)
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Complications, Infectious (epidemiology, etiology, immunology)
• Pregnancy Outcome
• Prospective Studies
• Risk Factors
• Schools