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

Background: Human 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.

Objective: To investigate whether HBoV infection is associated with fetal hydrops, fetal anemia or isolated fetal effusions.

Methods: We 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.

Results: None 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.

Conclusions: We 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.