Abstract:

Background: Human parvovirus B19 infection has been associated with congenital infection which may results into a number of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The epidemiology and magnitude of infection among pregnant women has been fairly studied in developed countries; however little is known in developing countries. This study was designed to establish preliminary information about the, magnitude of parvovirus B19 among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Mwanza city, northwestern Tanzania.

Methodology: A cross- sectional study was conducted between December 2014 and June 2015 among 258 pregnant women attending two antenatal clinics representing rural and urban residence in Mwanza city. Demographic information was collected by using standardized data collection tool. Specific parvovirus B19 IGm and IgG antibodies were determined using indirect ELISA kits (DRG instruments GmbH, Germany).data were analyzed using STATA version 11

Results: a total number of 258 pregnant women with the median age of 21 years IQR (19-25) were enrolled in the study. Of the 258 women; 116(44.96%), 109(42.25%) and 33(12.79%) were in the first, second and third trimester respectively. A total of 168(66.4%) women represented the urban population and 90(35.6%) represented the rural population. the overall prevalence of IgM was 83(32.8%) while that IgG was 142(56.1%).IgG seropostivity was significantly higher in participants residing in rural areas (OR: 1.75, 95% CI(1.013-3.022),P=0.045).furthermore on multivariate logistics regression analysis decrease in gestation age (OR:1.12, 95% CI(1.05-1.18),p<0.001) and history of baby with with low birth weight (OR:12.15,95% CI(1.83-80.9), P=0.01 were found to be independent predictors of IgG seropositivity.

Conclusion: majority of pregnant women I Mwanza city are naturally immune to parvovirus B19 with a significant number having active infection. We recommend further studies to determine the impact of parvovirus B19 infections in pregnant women