The 2024 outbreak of Parvovirus B19 as a global obstetrical threat.
Insights from an Obstetrics Referral Center in Northern Italy
Abstract
Objective: A significant increase in Parvovirus B 19 (B19V)
infections has been reported in the last months in some European
countries. This outbreak could be highly detrimental for pregnant women,
considering the capacity of the virus to harm the fetus. However, the
magnitude and spread of this outbreak is yet unclear. There is the need
for more evidence from other areas and focusing on pregnancy.
Methods: Pregnant women with B19V infection who were managed in
a referral hospital located in Milan, Northern Italy were reviewed. The
primary aim was recording the frequency of ascertained cases of B19V
infection in the period January-July 2024 and comparing these data to
the frequencies recorded in the previous 9 years (2015-2023). The
secondary aim of the study was comparing the severity of the infections
in these two periods. Results: The number of B19V infections
markedly increased in the first 7 months of 2024. Until 2023, the number
of cases per year were below 7, with no cases reported in 2020-2022,
while in the period January-July 2024, the number raised to 59
(p<0.001). Maternal characteristics and fetal outcomes before
and after January 2024 did not differ. Conclusions: Italy is
also involved in the ongoing outbreak of B19V infection and pregnant
women are exposed to this threat. Public health authorities must
promptly engage to monitor the situation and consider the possibility to
introduce universal screening and global preventive measures, at least
up to the end of the surge.