No detection of human bocavirus in amniotic fluid samples from fetuses with hydrops or isolated effusions

BackgroundHuman bocavirus (HBoV) is a recently identified parvovirus associated with respiratory disease in infants. Animal bocaviruses have been shown to cause intrauterine infection, fetal anasarca and abortion in late gestation.ObjectivesTo investigate whether HBoV infection is associated with fetal hydrops, fetal anemia or isolated fetal effusions.Study designWe determined the prevalence of HBoV and parvovirus B19 (B19) DNA in amniotic fluid samples from fetuses with hydrops, anemia or isolated effusions using different real-time PCR protocols, and the HBoV IgG and IgM positivity rate in pregnant women with fetal hydrops or normal ultrasound findings by a non-commercial virus-like particle-based enzyme immunoassay.ResultsNone of 87 amniotic fluid samples tested was HBoV DNA positive. Twelve of 60 fetuses with hydrops or anemia were found B19 DNA positive. Anti-HBoV IgG antibodies were detected in 100% (19/19) and 94% (47/50) of serum samples from pregnant women with fetal hydrops and normal ultrasound findings, respectively. All serum samples were found negative for anti-HBoV IgM.ConclusionWe suggest that HBoV is not a common cause of fetal hydrops, anemia or isolated effusions. This has to be confirmed by further studies of proven gestational HBoV infection.