Detection of parvovirus B19 in a skin biopsy of a patient with erythema infectiosum

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Abstract
We report the findings on a skin biopsy taken from a child acutely infected with parvovirus B 19 showing the typical exanthematous rash. By indirect immunofluorescence with a monoclonal antibody to B19, viral capsid proteins were detected in epidermal cells localized mainly in the stratum basale. Additionally, B 19 DNA was detected in epidermal cells of the stratum basale by in situ hydridization using a Dig-labelled B19 DNA probe. The detection of viral capsid proteins and viral DNA suggests the presence of complete viral particles. It is therefore concluded that B19 plays a direct role in the formation of the exanthematous rash in erythema infection.