Association of Hemoglobin Electrophoretic Phenotype with Human Parvovirus B19 infection among Pregnant Women attending Abuja Tertiary Hospital, Nigeria

Background and Objectives: Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) has singular tropism to erythropoietic cells and causes a wide range of complications in some fetuses of infected pregnant women, especially those with hemoglobinopathies. This study aimed to determine association of hemoglobin electrophoretic patterns and other risk factors of B19V in pregnant women attending University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Abuja, Nigeria. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 200 pregnant women and screened for anti-B19V Immunoglobulin-M (IgM), Immunoglobulin-G (IgG) and hemoglobin phenotypic pattern using enzyme immunosorbent assay and Minicap Flex Piercing Electrophoresis, respectively. Structured questionnaires were used to collate sociodemographic variables and associated risks for B19V. Results: Of the 200 participants, 12 (6.0%) were positive for B19V IgM, 45 (22.5%) positive for IgG, 2 (1.0%) were positive for both antibody classes while 145 (72.5%) had no detectable B19V antibodies. Twenty-six (28.3%) of subjects with Hemoglobin AA (HbAA) electrophoretic pattern had B19V IgG, 9 (12.5%) in those with HbAS and 11 (30.6%) in those with HbSS electrophoretic pattern. There was significant association between prevalence of anti-B19V IgG and hemoglobin electrophoretic pattern of participants (p value = 0.037). However, no association between B19V IgM and hemoglobin electrophoretic pattern, age and parity of pregnant women (p value 0.05). Conclusion: Findings from this study revealed a high prevalence of B19V infection. Recent B19V infection was associated with hemoglobin electrophoretic profile of pregnant women. It is recommended to follow all pregnant women with anti-B19V IgM positive results and their fetuses.