This virus causes, erythema infectiosum, also sometimes called "fifth disease" or "slapped cheek disease" because of the facial rash.  Parvovirus B19 replicates in red cell precursors in the bone marrow, and may cause a temporary shut-down in red cell production that will will precipitate an "aplastic crisis" i.e. severe anaemia.

 

Parvoviruses are the smallest known DNA-containing viruses.  The capsids have icosahedral symmetry, and are approximately 25nm in diameter.

© Copyright Dr Linda M Stannard, 1995

This page was written by Dr Linda Stannard, on behalf of the Division of Medical Virology, UCT.

In Memory of Dr Linda Stannard, 10 May 1942 - 17 October 2016

For re-use of and queries about Dr Stannard's images, please contact Dr Stephen Korsman at stephen.korsman@uct.ac.za.

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