Parvovirus B19 infection in patients after renal transplantation: a report of 22 cases

Objective To summarize the pathogenic characteristics and treatments of parvovirus B19 infection in patients after renal transplantation. Methods Twenty-two cases of parvovirus B19 infection after renal transplantation were diagnosed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) from March 2016 to January 2019. And the pathogenic characteristics and treatments of parvovirus B19 infection after renal transplantation were analyzed. Results The overall incidence rate of parvovirus B19 after renal transplantation was 2.97%. The median diagnostic time was 39 (15~572) days. Administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), conversion of immunosuppressants and other comprehensive regimens were adopted. Except for 1 patient dying from cardiovascular accident at 4 days post-diagnosis, the remainders were cured. The accumulative dosage of IVIG was (7.7±3.8) g/kg in 5 patients with delayed conversion and un-conversion of immunosuppressants, and (2.7±1.9) g/kg in 16 patients with early conversion of immunosuppressants. During a follow-up period of (13.0±9.1) months, the level of hemoglobin remained stable. Conclusions Parvovirus B19 infection after renal is predominant immediately after transplantation. And the dosage of IVIG may be lowered by an early conversion of immunosuppressants after a definite diagnosis. Key words: Kidney transplantation; Virus; Infection; Anemia