Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Sign In

26116 Parvovirus B19 Antibodies, IgG and IgM, Serum (PARVS)

Parvovirus B19 Antibodies, IgG and IgM, Serum (PARVS)
Test Code: PARVSSO
Synonyms/Keywords

B19, Erythrovirus B19, Fifth Disease, Human Parvovirus, Slapped Cheek disease

Test Components
Parvovirus B19 IgG & IgM Antibodies with Interpretation
Useful For

​Serologic detection of recent or past parvovirus B19 infection

Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​No ​Serum ​Serum Separator Tube (SST) ​Red Top Tube (RTT) ​0.5 mL ​0.5 mL
Collection Processing Instructions
This test is intended for patients with at least 7 days of symptoms or asymptomatic individuals with recent exposure to parvovirus B19.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Serum ​ ​Refrigerate (preferred) ​14 days
​Frozen ​14 days
Rejection Criteria
Gross Hemolysis
​Gross Lipemia
​Gross Icterus
​Heat-inactivated specimen
Interference

Specimens collected prior to seroconversion may yield negative IgM or IgG antibody results, while specimens collected after IgM antibody levels have begun to decline may yield negative IgM antibody results. Follow-up testing of convalescent samples may be beneficial to establish infection status.

The continued presence or absence of antibodies cannot be used to determine the success or failure of therapy.

Test results of specimens from immunocompromised patients may be difficult to interpret.

Testing should not be performed as a screening procedure for the general population. Testing should only be done when clinical evidence suggests the diagnosis of parvovirus B19-associated disease.

The performance of this test has not been established on neonates and immunocompromised patients.

Specimens containing antinuclear antibodies may produce equivocal or positive test results in the IgM assay.

Epstein-Barr virus-positive specimens may produce positive or equivocal test results in the IgM assay.

Assay performance characteristics have not been established for matrices other than serum.

Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Report Available
Methodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Clinic Laboratories ​Monday through Friday ​1 to 3 days
​Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA)
Test Information

Parvovirus B19 is the causative agent of fifth disease (ie, erythema infectiosum, slapped cheek syndrome), which usually produces a mild illness characterized by an intensive erythematous maculopapular facial rash. Most outbreaks of parvovirus infection are acquired by direct contact with respiratory secretions and primarily occur in the spring. Close contact between individuals is responsible for infection in schools, day care centers, and hospitals. The virus has also been associated with fetal damage (hydrops fetalis), aplastic crisis, and arthralgia. Infection during pregnancy presents the risk of transmission to the fetus that may cause intrauterine death. The rate of fetal death following maternal infection ranges between 1% and 9%.

Parvovirus B19 preferentially replicates in erythroid progenitor cells. Infection with parvovirus B19 occurs early in life, and the virus is transmitted by respiratory secretion and occasionally by blood products. The prevalence of parvovirus B19 IgG antibodies increases with age. The age-specific prevalence of antibodies to parvovirus is 2% to 9% of children under 5 years, 15% to 35% in children 5 to 18 years of age, and 30% to 60% in adults (19 years or older).

Most acute infections with parvovirus B19 are diagnosed in the laboratory by serologically detecting IgG and IgM class antibodies to the virus using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing.

Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
​Mayo Clinic Laboratories

​IgG: Negative

IgM: Negative

Interpretation
 
Parvovirus B19 IgM
Parvovirus B19 IgG
Interpretation
​Negative​Negative​No antibody to Parvovirus B19 detected. Acute infection cannot be ruled out as antibody levels may be below the limit of detection. If clinically indicated, a second serum should be submitted in 14 to 21 days.
​Negative​PositiveResults suggest past infection
​Equivocal​Positive or Negative​Recommend follow-up testing in 10 to 14 days if clinically indicated
​Positive​Positive, Negative, or Equivocal​Results suggest recent infection and should be interpreted in the context of clinical presentation

The presence of IgM class antibodies suggests recent infection. The presence of IgG antibodies only is indicative of past exposure.

Both IgG and IgM may be present at or soon after onset of illness and reach peak titers within 30 days. Because IgG antibody may persist for years, diagnosis of acute infection is made by the detection of IgM antibodies. 
 

 
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
​86747 ​2
Synonyms/Keywords

B19, Erythrovirus B19, Fifth Disease, Human Parvovirus, Slapped Cheek disease

Test Components
Parvovirus B19 IgG & IgM Antibodies with Interpretation
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Cerner ​Parvovirus B19 Abs, IgG and IgM, Serum (PARVS)
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​No ​Serum ​Serum Separator Tube (SST) ​Red Top Tube (RTT) ​0.5 mL ​0.5 mL
Collection Processing
This test is intended for patients with at least 7 days of symptoms or asymptomatic individuals with recent exposure to parvovirus B19.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Serum ​ ​Refrigerate (preferred) ​14 days
​Frozen ​14 days
Rejection Criteria
Gross Hemolysis
​Gross Lipemia
​Gross Icterus
​Heat-inactivated specimen
Interference

Specimens collected prior to seroconversion may yield negative IgM or IgG antibody results, while specimens collected after IgM antibody levels have begun to decline may yield negative IgM antibody results. Follow-up testing of convalescent samples may be beneficial to establish infection status.

The continued presence or absence of antibodies cannot be used to determine the success or failure of therapy.

Test results of specimens from immunocompromised patients may be difficult to interpret.

Testing should not be performed as a screening procedure for the general population. Testing should only be done when clinical evidence suggests the diagnosis of parvovirus B19-associated disease.

The performance of this test has not been established on neonates and immunocompromised patients.

Specimens containing antinuclear antibodies may produce equivocal or positive test results in the IgM assay.

Epstein-Barr virus-positive specimens may produce positive or equivocal test results in the IgM assay.

Assay performance characteristics have not been established for matrices other than serum.

Useful For

​Serologic detection of recent or past parvovirus B19 infection

Test Components
Parvovirus B19 IgG & IgM Antibodies with Interpretation
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
​Mayo Clinic Laboratories

​IgG: Negative

IgM: Negative

Interpretation
 
Parvovirus B19 IgM
Parvovirus B19 IgG
Interpretation
​Negative​Negative​No antibody to Parvovirus B19 detected. Acute infection cannot be ruled out as antibody levels may be below the limit of detection. If clinically indicated, a second serum should be submitted in 14 to 21 days.
​Negative​PositiveResults suggest past infection
​Equivocal​Positive or Negative​Recommend follow-up testing in 10 to 14 days if clinically indicated
​Positive​Positive, Negative, or Equivocal​Results suggest recent infection and should be interpreted in the context of clinical presentation

The presence of IgM class antibodies suggests recent infection. The presence of IgG antibodies only is indicative of past exposure.

Both IgG and IgM may be present at or soon after onset of illness and reach peak titers within 30 days. Because IgG antibody may persist for years, diagnosis of acute infection is made by the detection of IgM antibodies. 
 

 
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Report Available
Methodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Clinic Laboratories ​Monday through Friday ​1 to 3 days
​Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA)
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
​86747 ​2
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.