Parvovirus B19 infection in pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation - Single-center experience and review

Background: Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection following pediatric hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a rare complication and available data is scarce. Therefore, we present the experience with B19V Infection in allogeneic pediatric HCT recipients at our transplant center together with a systematic review of the literature.Methods: Pediatric HCT patients with Parvovirus B19 infection treated at the University Children's Hospital Munster between 1999 and 2021 were retrospectively identified and clinical data were analyzed. Additionally, a systematic MEDLINE search to identify relevant articles was performed.Results: We identified three out of 445 patients (0.6%) with B19V infection post-transplantation. B19V infection occurred in combination with other complications like Graft-versus-Host disease, additional infections, or autoimmune-mediated hemolysis potentially triggered by B19V. In one patient these complications lead to a fatal outcome.The review of the literature showed considerable morbidity of B19V infection with the potential for life-threatening complications. Most patients were treated by red blood cell transfusion and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) with a high succession rate.Conclusion: Symptomatic B19V infection following HCT remains a rare but potentially challenging complication. A causal antiviral therapy does not exist as well as general recommendations on dosage and duration of IVIG therapy. Despite this, most patients are treated successfully with these measures. Additionally, transmission via blood or stem cell products is also rare and no general recommendations on B19V screenings exist.