Background: Human parvovirus B19 virus is one of the recently found agent in transfusion transmitted diseases. Multitransfused patients are at increased risk of parvovirus B19 infection because virus easily escapes inactivation methods and donor units are not routinely screened for B19. There are only few studies suggesting this globally and in Asia. Hence, the aim of this study is to find the prevalence of B19 infection among multi-transfused patients. Materials and methods: One hundred and seventy-three multitransfused patients of different age, gender and diseases with history of multiple transfusion were considered. Assessment of parvovirus B19 specific IgM antibodies in the serum were done by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using B19 VPI and VP2 recombinant and purified antigens. Results: 52 (30%) out of 173 multitransfused patients tested positive for anti-B19 IgM antibodies. Age of the multitransfused patient are from 08 months to 80 years and B19 infection arehighest in less than one to ten year age group with highest prevalence among thalassemia patients (23%). 1/1 HIV positive and 20/50 anti-HCV positive multitransfused patients are found in co-infection with Anti-B19 IgM. Conclusions: Anti-B19 IgM seropositivity is detected in high rates among multitransfused patients. Several measures must be implemented to prevent iatrogenic and nosocomial transmissions including blood donor screening, especially blood given to hematological disorders patients. Data from this study also support the B19 vaccine introduction that primarily protect multitransfused patients against that infection.

Keywords: B19; Blood transfusion; Parvovirus; Multitransfused.