Parvovirus B19 infection contributes to severe anemia in young children in Papua New Guinea. Commentary

Background. Severe anemia (hemoglobin level, 90% in 6-year-olds. Conclusions. B19 infections play a significant role in the etiology of severe anemia in this area of malarial endemicity. Given the high levels of morbidity and mortality associated with severe anemia in such regions, the prevention of B19 infection with a vaccine might be a highly effective public health intervention.