Exploring the link between parvovirus B19 and encephalitis: a systematic review and comprehensive meta-analysis of molecular and serological evidence

Abstract Encephalitis, a severe brain inflammation, can arise due to various infectious agents, including viruses like Parvovirus B19 (B19V). Previously linked to mild neonatal and young one’s illnesses and some haematological diseases, recent evidence associates B19V with encephalitis, with no clea...

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Main Authors: Kashmi Sharma, Rekha Khandia, Rohan Shrivastava, Ram K. Nema, Somesh Mishra, Rupinder K. Kanwar, Ashwin A. Raut, Amit Agrawal, Vandana Gupta, Megha K. Pandey
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Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-02-01
Series:Virology Journal
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-025-02630-z
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author Kashmi Sharma
Rekha Khandia
Rohan Shrivastava
Ram K. Nema
Somesh Mishra
Rupinder K. Kanwar
Ashwin A. Raut
Amit Agrawal
Vandana Gupta
Megha K. Pandey
author_facet Kashmi Sharma
Rekha Khandia
Rohan Shrivastava
Ram K. Nema
Somesh Mishra
Rupinder K. Kanwar
Ashwin A. Raut
Amit Agrawal
Vandana Gupta
Megha K. Pandey
author_sort Kashmi Sharma
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Encephalitis, a severe brain inflammation, can arise due to various infectious agents, including viruses like Parvovirus B19 (B19V). Previously linked to mild neonatal and young one’s illnesses and some haematological diseases, recent evidence associates B19V with encephalitis, with no clear prevalence and mechanisms in place. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to determine the prevalence of B19V in cases of encephalitis, exploring variations associated with diagnostic approaches, and identifying gaps in existing research to enhance clinical comprehension and diagnostic methods. An extensive search (1994–2024) was performed through PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane databases for research and epidemiological investigations related to B19V in cases of encephalitis. Inclusion criteria focused on studies that verified B19V using molecular (PCR, NGS) or serological (IgM/IgG) techniques in cerebrospinal fluid or serum. Data analysis was done to pool the prevalence data of included studies using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistics. Sensitivity and meta-regression analyses were conducted to evaluate variability and the effects of moderators. A total of fourteen studies involving 3,135 encephalitis patients resulted in a combined prevalence of 3% (95% CI: 2–4%). Studies using PCR indicated a greater prevalence (3%) in comparison to ELISA (1%) and NGS (2%). A moderate level of heterogeneity (I2 = 57.4%) was attributed to the variability in diagnostic methods and geographic distribution. Sensitivity analyses validated strong estimates, while meta-regression revealed country as a key moderator accounting for heterogeneity. Publication bias was modest. The research indicates that B19V may be involved in certain encephalitis instances, with an overall prevalence of 3%. The differences observed in the studies emphasize the need for standardized diagnostic procedures and more extensive multicentric epidemiological research.
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spelling doaj-art-9b8e38dccd4b4edba004248084a79ed42025-08-20T03:10:53ZengBMCVirology Journal1743-422X2025-02-0122111210.1186/s12985-025-02630-zExploring the link between parvovirus B19 and encephalitis: a systematic review and comprehensive meta-analysis of molecular and serological evidenceKashmi Sharma0Rekha Khandia1Rohan Shrivastava2Ram K. Nema3Somesh Mishra4Rupinder K. Kanwar5Ashwin A. Raut6Amit Agrawal7Vandana Gupta8Megha K. Pandey9Department of Translational Medicine, AIIMS BhopalDepartment of Genetics, Barkatullah UniversityDepartment of Translational Medicine, AIIMS BhopalNIREHDepartment of Translational Medicine, AIIMS BhopalDepartment of Translational Medicine, AIIMS BhopalNIHSADDepartment of Neurosurgery, AIIMS BhopalDepartment of Microbiology, NDVSUDepartment of Translational Medicine, AIIMS BhopalAbstract Encephalitis, a severe brain inflammation, can arise due to various infectious agents, including viruses like Parvovirus B19 (B19V). Previously linked to mild neonatal and young one’s illnesses and some haematological diseases, recent evidence associates B19V with encephalitis, with no clear prevalence and mechanisms in place. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to determine the prevalence of B19V in cases of encephalitis, exploring variations associated with diagnostic approaches, and identifying gaps in existing research to enhance clinical comprehension and diagnostic methods. An extensive search (1994–2024) was performed through PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane databases for research and epidemiological investigations related to B19V in cases of encephalitis. Inclusion criteria focused on studies that verified B19V using molecular (PCR, NGS) or serological (IgM/IgG) techniques in cerebrospinal fluid or serum. Data analysis was done to pool the prevalence data of included studies using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistics. Sensitivity and meta-regression analyses were conducted to evaluate variability and the effects of moderators. A total of fourteen studies involving 3,135 encephalitis patients resulted in a combined prevalence of 3% (95% CI: 2–4%). Studies using PCR indicated a greater prevalence (3%) in comparison to ELISA (1%) and NGS (2%). A moderate level of heterogeneity (I2 = 57.4%) was attributed to the variability in diagnostic methods and geographic distribution. Sensitivity analyses validated strong estimates, while meta-regression revealed country as a key moderator accounting for heterogeneity. Publication bias was modest. The research indicates that B19V may be involved in certain encephalitis instances, with an overall prevalence of 3%. The differences observed in the studies emphasize the need for standardized diagnostic procedures and more extensive multicentric epidemiological research.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-025-02630-zParvovirus B19EncephalitisPrevalenceMolecular diagnosticsMeta-analysisNeurological infection
spellingShingle Kashmi Sharma
Rekha Khandia
Rohan Shrivastava
Ram K. Nema
Somesh Mishra
Rupinder K. Kanwar
Ashwin A. Raut
Amit Agrawal
Vandana Gupta
Megha K. Pandey
Exploring the link between parvovirus B19 and encephalitis: a systematic review and comprehensive meta-analysis of molecular and serological evidence
Virology Journal
Parvovirus B19
Encephalitis
Prevalence
Molecular diagnostics
Meta-analysis
Neurological infection
title Exploring the link between parvovirus B19 and encephalitis: a systematic review and comprehensive meta-analysis of molecular and serological evidence
title_full Exploring the link between parvovirus B19 and encephalitis: a systematic review and comprehensive meta-analysis of molecular and serological evidence
title_fullStr Exploring the link between parvovirus B19 and encephalitis: a systematic review and comprehensive meta-analysis of molecular and serological evidence
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the link between parvovirus B19 and encephalitis: a systematic review and comprehensive meta-analysis of molecular and serological evidence
title_short Exploring the link between parvovirus B19 and encephalitis: a systematic review and comprehensive meta-analysis of molecular and serological evidence
title_sort exploring the link between parvovirus b19 and encephalitis a systematic review and comprehensive meta analysis of molecular and serological evidence
topic Parvovirus B19
Encephalitis
Prevalence
Molecular diagnostics
Meta-analysis
Neurological infection
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-025-02630-z
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