Parvovirus Antibodies - IgM Test

Parvovirus is virus belonging to the family parvoviridae. These are non-segmented, single-stranded DNA viruses. Two subfamilies of this family are parvoviridae and densovirinae. Parvovirus infects humans and few animals like starfish. The virus mainly has its effect on the gastrointestinal tract and the lymphatic system. There is no age differentiation for the infection of this virus. Symptoms of this virus infection include vomiting, diarrhea, immunological reactions like immunosuppression, etc. The infection of this virus can be tested by testing the presence of IgM antibodies against the virus in the blood of the patient. These antibodies are produced as the virus which has entered the body is recognized as the foreign body by our immune system.

Parvovirus testing is not necessary in case of mild and uncomplicated infection. Parvovirus testing is done by testing the presence of IgM antibody in the blood of the patient. Blood of the patient should be collected to test the presence of antibodies. The patient should be wearing a sleeveless dress or a half sleeve dress so that it will be easy to draw blood from the cubital fossa area. A full sleeve dress whose sleeves can be rolled up easily can also be worn. Blood is always drawn from veins.

This test is done to detect the presence of parvovirus in the body of the patient or infection due to the virus. This test helps to confirm the infection due to the virus so that proper and adequate treatment can be given against the virus. Presence of IgM antibodies against the virus indicates the recent infection of the virus. If the test is the positive follow up test is conducted after 2-3 weeks to determine the effect of treatment being given. If the levels of the antibodies decrease it indicates that the treatment is effective.

The patient should be explained about the procedure of the test to be conducted. A cotton pad dipped in alcohol or spirit is used to clean the area of skin from where blood is to be drawn and is made sterile. A venipuncture needle is passed through the skin to enter into the vein at the cubital fossa. Blood is withdrawn from the vein and emptied into a container containing an anticoagulant so that the blood does not clot during the period between the collection of blood and the sample being tested at the laboratory. The container is sealed with the name of the patient and sent to the research laboratory for the investigation to be carried.