A study in Italy reported that parvovirus B19 can persist in immunocompetent symptomatic and non-symptomatic individuals by the presence of viral DNA in different tissue but this was observed in the absence of viraemia and anti-B19 IgM.13 These results have implications for children under the age of five years, because such children are vulnerable to the detrimental effects of anaemia. Here, CD40LG is linked to anemia.