Molecular identification of human parvovirus B19 infection in Iraqi hemodialysis patients

The aim of this research was to examine the prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients undergoing dialysis in Iraq and evaluate the risk of B19V infection. This hospital-based study was conducted in Kirkuk city over a period of six months, beginning in January 2022. The study enrolled 200 adult patients with chronic renal disease who were receiving dialysis at Kirkuk General Hospital, ranging in age from 17 to 80 years. These patients were clinically categorized as End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis, as determined by a nephrologist, based on their history, clinical examination, renal function tests, and other laboratory evaluations. They were receiving hemodialysis twice weekly. In addition, a control group of 30 healthy adult participants with no prior medical or family history of CKD was included in the study. Persistent B19 infection has a unique significance and is of significant interest in several contexts, including among patients receiving dialysis. The findings of the study revealed that 11% (22 out of 200) of hemodialysis patients had the genes of the parvovirus B19. Moreover, the results demonstrated that HD patients with parvovirus B19 infection had lower hemoglobin levels than patients without parvovirus B19 infection. Furthermore, it was found that HD patients with parvovirus B19 infection had undergone dialysis for a longer period than those without parvovirus B19 infection.