LOW-PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODY TO HUMAN PARVOVIRUS B19 IN SINGAPORE

A seroepidemiological survey was conducted in Singapore to assess the prevalence of antibody to human parvovirus B19. Sera were collected from 600 healthy individuals between 6 months and over 50 years of age and tested for IgG antibody against B19 virus by antigen capture indirect immunosorbent assay. The overall seropositivity rate was 16.2%. All the children under 5 years of age were seronegative. Antibody prevalence increased gradually from 3.5% in school children (5-14 years of age) to 7.7% in age group 15-19 years and then to 10.3% in young adults (20-24 years of age). In the age group 25-34 years the prevalence was 28% and in the age group over 35 years 65% had parvovirus B19 antibody. The results of the survey indicate that there has been very low incidence of Bl9 virus infection in Singapore during the last two decades.