Etiopathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis : Role of Human Parvovirus B19

Systemic sclerosis, one of the most obscure rheumatic autoimmune diseases, is characterized by endothelial dysfunction and activation of fibroblasts, leading to diffuse microangiopathy and fibrosis of skin and visceral organs. Parvovirus B19,the virus responsable of the Fifth Disease, may infect also endothalial cells and their bone marrow precursors, along with fibroblasts; moreover, it has been associated to several autoimmune disorders, among which also systemic sclerosis. Is there a role for the virus in the etiopathogenesis of systemic sclerosis?