Epidemiology and Infection

Table of Contents - 1994 - Volume 113, Issue 03  

Research Article

Low prevalence of antibody to human parvovirus B19 in Singapore

Y. Matsunagaa1, K. T. Goha2, E. Utagawaa1 and N. Muroia3

a1 Department of Epidemiology, The National Institute of Health, 1–23–1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162

a2 Quarantine and Epidemiology Department, Ministry of the Environment, Singapore

a3 Plasma Fraction Center, The Japanese Red Cross Society

Abstract

A seroepidemiological survey was conducted in Singapore to assess the prevalence of antibody to human parvovirus B19. Sera were collected from 600 healthy individuals between 6 months and over 50 years of age and tested for IgG antibody against B19 virus by antigen capture indirect immunosorbent assay. The overall seropositivity rate was 16·2%. All the children under 5 years of age were seronegative. Antibody prevalence increased gradually from 3·5% in school children (5–14 years of age) to 7·7% in age group 15–19 years and then to 10·3% in young adults (20–24 years of age). In the age group 25–34 years the prevalence was 28% and in the age group over 35 years 65% had parvovirus B19 antibody. The results of the survey indicate that there has been very low incidence of B19 virus infection in Singapore during the last two decades.

(Accepted June 07 1994)

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