Viruses

Editorial

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1 pages, 163 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Emerging Viral Infections in Pregnancy: What’s New in 2022?

by Léo Pomar and David Baud

Viruses 2023, 15(4), 889; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15040889 - 30 Mar 2023

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Abstract

Dear contributors and readers, [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Virus Infections in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes II)

Research

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15 pages, 4676 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Obesity Induces an Impaired Placental Antiviral Immune Response in Pregnant Women Infected with Zika Virus

by Anna Cláudia Calvielli Castelo Branco, Emily Araujo De Oliveira, Nátalli Zanete Pereira, Ricardo Wesley Alberca, Amaro Nunes Duarte-Neto, Luiz Fernando Ferraz Da Silva, Fernanda Guedes Luiz, Naiura Vieira Pereira, Mirian Nacagami Sotto, Naiara Naiana Dejani, Patrícia Helen Carvalho Rondó, Elyzabeth Avvad-Portari, Zilton Farias Meira De Vasconcelos, Alberto José da Silva Duarte, Tamiris Azamor and Maria Notomi Sato

Viruses 2023, 15(2), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15020320 - 23 Jan 2023

Viewed by 2825

Abstract

Obesity is increasing in incidence worldwide, especially in women, which can affect the outcome of pregnancy. During this period, viral infections represent a risk to the mother, the placental unit, and the fetus. The Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in Brazil has been the [...] Read more.

Obesity is increasing in incidence worldwide, especially in women, which can affect the outcome of pregnancy. During this period, viral infections represent a risk to the mother, the placental unit, and the fetus. The Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in Brazil has been the cause of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), with devastating consequences such as microcephaly in newborns. Herein, we analyzed the impact of maternal overweight/obesity on the antiviral factors’ expression in the placental tissue of Zika-infected mothers. We accessed placentas from women with and without obesity from 34 public health units (São Paulo) and from Zika-infected mothers with and without obesity from the Clinical Cohort Study of ZIKV pregnant women (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). We first verified that obesity, without infection, did not alter the constitutive transcriptional expression of antiviral factors or IFN type I/III expression. Interestingly, obesity, when associated with ZIKV infection, showed a decreased transcriptional expression of RIG-I and IFIH1 (MDA-5 protein precursor gene). At the protein level, we also verified a decreased RIG-I and IRF-3 expression in the decidual placenta from the Zika-infected obese group, regardless of microcephaly. This finding shows, for the first time, that obesity associated with ZIKV infection leads to an impaired type I IFN downstream signaling pathway in the maternal–fetal interface. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Virus Infections in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes II)

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15 pages, 756 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Consequences of In Utero Zika Virus Exposure and Adverse Pregnancy and Early Childhood Outcomes: A Prospective Cohort Study

by Rebecca Grant, Olivier Flechelles, Narcisse Elenga, Benoît Tressières, Stanie Gaete, Jean-Christophe Hebert, Bruno Schaub, Felix Djossou, Adeline Mallard, Lucetta Delver, Catherine Ryan, Anna L. Funk, André Cabié, Arnaud Fontanet and Bruno Hoen

Viruses 2022, 14(12), 2755; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14122755 - 10 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1559

Abstract

We aimed to describe adverse pregnancy outcomes among women who had symptomatic, RT-PCR-confirmed ZIKV infection and early childhood outcomes among their infants. We enrolled pregnant women with symptomatic, RT-PCR-confirmed ZIKV infection in a prospective cohort study, and their infants in a prospective pediatric [...] Read more.

We aimed to describe adverse pregnancy outcomes among women who had symptomatic, RT-PCR-confirmed ZIKV infection and early childhood outcomes among their infants. We enrolled pregnant women with symptomatic, RT-PCR-confirmed ZIKV infection in a prospective cohort study, and their infants in a prospective pediatric cohort study. We defined adverse pregnancy and early childhood outcomes based on selected neurologic, ophthalmologic, auditory, musculoskeletal, and anthropometric abnormalities. We used RT-PCR and serologic tests to determine the ZIKV infection status of the child. Between 10 March and 24 November 2016, we enrolled 546 pregnant women with RT-PCR-confirmed ZIKV infection. The overall risk of adverse pregnancy and early childhood outcomes possibly related to in utero ZIKV exposure was 15.7% (95% CI: 12.8–19.0), distributed as follows: 3.6% (95% CI: 2.3–5.6) severe sequelae or fatality; 2.7% (95% CI: 1.6–4.5) major abnormalities; 9.4% (95% CI:7.1–12.2) mild abnormalities. The risk of severe sequelae or fatality was higher when ZIKV infection occurred during the first trimester (7.0%), compared to the second (2.7%) or third trimester (1.4%) (p = 0.02). Among the infants for whom ZIKV infection status could be determined, the vertical transmission rate was 3.0% (5/167) (95% CI: 1.1–7.2). Among pregnant women with symptomatic, RT-PCR-confirmed ZIKV infection, severe or major pregnancy or early childhood outcomes were present in 6.3% of fetuses and infants. Severe outcomes occurred more frequently in fetuses and infants whose mothers had been infected in the first trimester. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Virus Infections in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes II)

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8 pages, 900 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Contribution of Serum Cytomegalovirus PCR to Diagnosis of Early CMV Primary Infection in Pregnant Women

by Claire Périllaud-Dubois, Elise Bouthry, Lina Mouna, Christine Pirin, Corinne Vieux-Combe, Olivier Picone, Anne-Marie Roque-Afonso, Alexandre J. Vivanti and Christelle Vauloup-Fellous

Viruses 2022, 14(10), 2137; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14102137 - 28 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1622

Abstract

(1) Background: What is the role of serum CMV PCR in the diagnosis of recent primary infection (PI) in pregnant women when IgG avidity is uninformative? (2) Methods: Retrospective cohort study to compare serum versus whole blood CMV PCR. (a) Qualitative assessment: CMV [...] Read more.

(1) Background: What is the role of serum CMV PCR in the diagnosis of recent primary infection (PI) in pregnant women when IgG avidity is uninformative? (2) Methods: Retrospective cohort study to compare serum versus whole blood CMV PCR. (a) Qualitative assessment: CMV PCR was performed on 123 serum samples and 74 whole blood samples collected from 132 pregnant women with recent CMV PI. PCR positivity rate was used to calculate sensitivity in serum and whole blood. (b) Quantitative assessment: CMV PCR was performed on 72 paired samples of serum and whole blood collected on the same day from 57 patients. (3) Results: In pregnant women, PCR positivity rate was 89% for serum samples versus 100% in whole blood in the case of very recent PI (<15 days), but only 27% in serum versus 68% in whole blood for PI occurring from 6 weeks to 3 months before. Comparing CMV viral loads between serum and whole blood, we determined the limit of CMV DNA detection in serum as 3 log copies/mL (whole blood equivalent). (4) Conclusions: Serum CMV PCR is reliable in confirming PI in cases when only IgM is detected. It is therefore a valuable tool in introducing valaciclovir treatment as early as possible to prevent mother-to-child CMV transmission. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Virus Infections in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes II)

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14 pages, 2184 KiB

Open AccessArticle

SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Pregnancy: Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes and Placental Pathology Correlations

by Michał Pomorski, Martyna Trzeszcz, Agnieszka Matera-Witkiewicz, Magdalena Krupińska, Tomasz Fuchs, Mariusz Zimmer, Aleksandra Zimmer-Stelmach, Anna Rosner-Tenerowicz, Joanna Budny-Wińska, Anna Tarczyńska-Podraza, Klaudia Radziejewska, Barbara Królak-Olejnik, Anna Szczygieł, Hanna Augustyniak-Bartosik, Magdalena Kuriata-Kordek, Karolina Skalec, Izabela Smoła, Ewa Morgiel, Jakub Gawryś, Adrian Doroszko, Piotr Rola, Małgorzata Trocha, Krzysztof Kujawa, Barbara Adamik, Krzysztof Kaliszewski, Katarzyna Kiliś-Pstrusińska, Marcin Protasiewicz, Janusz Sokołowski, Ewa A. Jankowska and Katarzyna Madziarska Show full author list Hide full author list

Viruses 2022, 14(9), 2043; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14092043 - 14 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2108

Abstract

There is accumulating evidence on the perinatal aspects of COVID-19, but available data are still insufficient. The reports on perinatal aspects of COVID-19 have been published on a small group of patients. Vertical transmission has been noted. The SARS-CoV-2 genome can be detected [...] Read more.

There is accumulating evidence on the perinatal aspects of COVID-19, but available data are still insufficient. The reports on perinatal aspects of COVID-19 have been published on a small group of patients. Vertical transmission has been noted. The SARS-CoV-2 genome can be detected in umbilical cord blood and at-term placenta, and the infants demonstrate elevated SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG and IgM antibody levels. In this work, the analysis of clinical characteristics of RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant women and their infants, along with the placental pathology correlation results, including villous trophoblast immunoexpression status for SARS-CoV-2 antibody, is presented. RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 amniotic fluid testing was performed. Neonatal surveillance of infection status comprised RT-PCR testing of a nasopharyngeal swab and the measuring of levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in blood serum. In the initial study group were 161 pregnant women with positive test results. From that group, women who delivered during the hospital stay were selected for further analysis. Clinical data, laboratory results, placental histomorphology results, and neonatal outcomes were compared in women with immunohistochemistry (IHC)-con SARS-CoV-2-positive and IHC SARS-CoV-2-negative placentas (26 cases). A positive placental immunoprofile was noted in 8% of cases (n = 2), whereas 92% of cases were negative (n = 24). Women with placental infection proven by IHC had significantly different pathological findings from those without. One infected neonate was noted (n = 1; 4%). Infection was confirmed in perinatal autopsy, as there was the intrauterine fetal demise. The potential course of the infection with the risk of vertical transmission and implications for fetal–neonatal condition is critical for proper clinical management, which will involve comprehensive, multidisciplinary perinatal care for SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Virus Infections in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes II)

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11 pages, 1104 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials in Children with Prenatal Exposure to Zika Virus

by Laís Cristine Delgado da Hora, Lilian Ferreira Muniz, Leonardo Gleygson Angelo Venâncio, Karina Paes Advíncula, Jéssica Dayane da Silva, Diana Babini Lapa de Albuquerque Britto, Demócrito de Barros Miranda Filho, Elizabeth B. Brickley, Ricardo Arraes de Alencar Ximenes, Silvio da Silva Caldas Neto and Mariana de Carvalho Leal

Viruses 2022, 14(9), 1923; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14091923 - 30 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1404

Abstract

Prenatal exposure to ZIKV can cause neurologic and auditory damage. The electrophysiological responses obtained by Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials (CAEP) may provide an objective method to investigate the function of cortical auditory pathways in children exposed to ZIKV. This case series analyzed the [...] Read more.

Prenatal exposure to ZIKV can cause neurologic and auditory damage. The electrophysiological responses obtained by Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials (CAEP) may provide an objective method to investigate the function of cortical auditory pathways in children exposed to ZIKV. This case series analyzed the findings of CAEP in prenatal-period ZIKV-exposed children with and without microcephaly. The CAEP was performed in a total of 24 children. Five magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of the inner ear and brain of microcephalic children were analyzed and compared with CAEP measurements. Ventriculomegaly (80%), cortical/subcortical calcification (80%), and brain reduction (60%) were the most common alterations in the MRI. The P1-N1-P2 complex of the CAEP was observed in all children evaluated. The peak N2 was absent in two children. In the comparison of the CAEP measurements between the groups, children with microcephaly presented a higher amplitude of P2 (p = 0.017), which may reflect immaturity of the auditory pathways. Microcephalic and normocephalic children with prenatal exposure to ZIKV presented with the mandatory components of the CAEPs, regardless of changes in the CNS, suggesting that this population has, to some extent, the cortical ability to process sound stimuli preserved. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Virus Infections in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes II)

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12 pages, 306 KiB

Open AccessArticle

by Rômulo Augusto Lucena de Vasconcelos, Ricardo Arraes de Alencar Ximenes, Adriano Almeida Calado, Celina Maria Turchi Martelli, Andreia Veras Gonçalves, Elizabeth Bailey Brickley, Thalia Velho Barreto de Araújo, Maria Angela Wanderley Rocha and Demócrito de Barros Miranda-Filho

Viruses 2022, 14(7), 1512; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14071512 - 11 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1600

Abstract

Aims: Describing the urodynamic parameters of children aged 3 to 5 years with microcephaly related to congenital Zika syndrome and verifying the association with clinical, imaging and neurological characteristics. Methods: From October 2018 to March 2020, children with Zika-related microcephaly underwent urological, ultrasonographic [...] Read more.

Aims: Describing the urodynamic parameters of children aged 3 to 5 years with microcephaly related to congenital Zika syndrome and verifying the association with clinical, imaging and neurological characteristics. Methods: From October 2018 to March 2020, children with Zika-related microcephaly underwent urological, ultrasonographic and urodynamic evaluation. In selected cases, complementary exams such as urethrocystography and scintigraphy were performed. The children also underwent a complete neurological evaluation. To compare frequency between groups, we used Pearson’s chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test. Results: This study evaluated 40 children, of whom 85% were 4 years old, and all had abnormalities on the urodynamic study, with low bladder capacity (92.5%) and detrusor overactivity (77.5%) as the most frequent findings. Only three children had ultrasound abnormalities, but no child had cystographic or scintigraphic abnormalities, and the postvoid residual volume was normal in 80% of cases. In spite of a frequency of 67.5% of intestinal constipation, there was no record of febrile urinary tract infection after the first year of life. All children presented severe microcephaly and at least one neurological abnormality in addition to microcephaly. The homogeneity of the children in relation to microcephaly severity and neurological abnormalities limited the study of the association with the urodynamic parameters. Conclusions: Urodynamic abnormalities in children aged 3 to 5 years with Zika-related microcephaly do not seem to characterize a neurogenic bladder with immediate risks for the upper urinary tract. The satisfactory bladder emptying suggests that the voiding pattern is reflex. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Virus Infections in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes II)

10 pages, 2119 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Plasma Total Antioxidant Capacity and Carbonylated Proteins Are Increased in Pregnant Women with Severe COVID-19

by Juan Mario Solis-Paredes, Araceli Montoya-Estrada, Adriana Cruz-Rico, Enrique Reyes-Muñoz, Javier Perez-Duran, Salvador Espino y Sosa, Victor Ranferi Garcia-Salgado, Rosalba Sevilla-Montoya, Raigam Jafet Martinez-Portilla, Guadalupe Estrada-Gutierrez, Juan Alexander Gomez-Ruiz, Paloma Mateu-Rogell, Jose Rafael Villafan-Bernal, Lourdes Rojas-Zepeda, Maria del Carmen Perez-Garcia and Johnatan Torres-Torres

Viruses 2022, 14(4), 723; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14040723 - 30 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2171

Abstract

Oxidative stress (OS) induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection may play an important role in COVID-19 complications. However, information on oxidative damage in pregnant women with COVID-19 is limited. Objective: We aimed to compare lipid and protein oxidative damage and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) between [...] Read more.

Oxidative stress (OS) induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection may play an important role in COVID-19 complications. However, information on oxidative damage in pregnant women with COVID-19 is limited. Objective: We aimed to compare lipid and protein oxidative damage and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) between pregnant women with severe and non-severe COVID-19. Methods: We studied a consecutive prospective cohort of patients admitted to the obstetrics emergency department. All women positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were included. Clinical data were collected and blood samples were obtained at hospital admission. Plasma OS markers, malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonylated proteins (CP), and TAC; angiogenic markers, fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF); and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) markers, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) and angiotensin-II (ANG-II) were measured. Correlation between OS, angiogenic, and RAS was evaluated. Results: In total, 57 pregnant women with COVID-19 were included, 17 (28.9%) of which had severe COVID-19; there were 3 (5.30%) maternal deaths. Pregnant women with severe COVID-19 had higher levels of carbonylated proteins (5782 pmol vs. 6651 pmol; p = 0.024) and total antioxidant capacity (40.1 pmol vs. 56.1 pmol; p = 0.001) than women with non-severe COVID-19. TAC was negatively correlated with ANG-II (p < 0.0001) and MDA levels (p < 0.0001) and positively with the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio (p = 0.027). Conclusions: In pregnant women, severe COVID-19 is associated with an increase in protein oxidative damage and total antioxidant capacity as a possible counterregulatory mechanism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Virus Infections in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes II)

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7 pages, 650 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Severe COVID-19 in Cardiopath Young Pregnant Patient without Vertical Transmission

by Ana Paula Figueiredo de Montalvão França, Danielly do Vale Pereira, Elaine Valéria Rodrigues, Flávia Nunes Vieira, Karine Santos Machado, Pedro Aleixo Nogueira, Ricardo Roberto de Souza Fonseca and Luiz Fernando Almeida Machado

Viruses 2022, 14(4), 675; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14040675 - 25 Mar 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1534

Abstract

The new betacoronavirus, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the cause of COVID-19, and has spread rapidly around the world, reaching more than 200 countries, around 364 million people and causing more than 5 million deaths according to the [...] Read more.

The new betacoronavirus, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the cause of COVID-19, and has spread rapidly around the world, reaching more than 200 countries, around 364 million people and causing more than 5 million deaths according to the World Health Organization, so this paper reports a fatal case of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a young pregnant woman with heart disease, without vertical transmission. A 26 years old patient at 28th week of pregnancy with regular prenatal care, presented dry cough, high fever, and severe respiratory distress. Due to her clinical symptoms, she sought medical care at a cardiology hospital in Northern Brazil. The medical conditions she presented were heart disease, rheumatic fever history and had no recent record of national or international travel. She was hospitalized and after clinical stabilization, she was referred for an emergency cesarean intervention. The young mother and the newborn were transferred to the intensive care unit after surgery, where diagnostic tests for respiratory viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2, were performed. The mother tested positive, while her newborn was negative for SARS-CoV-2 demonstrating no vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in this severe case. This study reveals that despite the mother’s initially mild symptoms, she progressed to severe clinical conditions resulting in death, although no vertical transmission was observed. This report highlights the relevance of comorbidities for the unfavorable clinical course of COVID-19. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Virus Infections in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes II)

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Review

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25 pages, 633 KiB

Open AccessReview

Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Prevention of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection

by Pauline Sartori, Charles Egloff, Najeh Hcini, Christelle Vauloup Fellous, Claire Périllaud-Dubois, Olivier Picone and Léo Pomar

Viruses 2023, 15(4), 819; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15040819 - 23 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3183

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus infection is the most common congenital infection, affecting about 1% of births worldwide. Several primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies are already available during the prenatal period to help mitigate the immediate and long-term consequences of this infection. In this review, we [...] Read more.

Cytomegalovirus infection is the most common congenital infection, affecting about 1% of births worldwide. Several primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies are already available during the prenatal period to help mitigate the immediate and long-term consequences of this infection. In this review, we aim to present and assess the efficacy of these strategies, including educating pregnant women and women of childbearing age on their knowledge of hygiene measures, development of vaccines, screening for cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy (systematic versus targeted), prenatal diagnosis and prognostic assessments, and preventive and curative treatments in utero. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Virus Infections in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes II)

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22 pages, 2478 KiB

Open AccessReview

Influenza Virus Infection during Pregnancy as a Trigger of Acute and Chronic Complications

by Osezua Oseghale, Ross Vlahos, John J. O’Leary, Robert D. Brooks, Doug A. Brooks, Stella Liong and Stavros Selemidis

Viruses 2022, 14(12), 2729; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14122729 - 07 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3005

Abstract

Influenza A virus (IAV) infection during pregnancy disrupts maternal and fetal health through biological mechanisms, which are to date poorly characterised. During pregnancy, the viral clearance mechanisms from the lung are sub-optimal and involve hyperactive innate and adaptive immune responses that generate wide-spread [...] Read more.

Influenza A virus (IAV) infection during pregnancy disrupts maternal and fetal health through biological mechanisms, which are to date poorly characterised. During pregnancy, the viral clearance mechanisms from the lung are sub-optimal and involve hyperactive innate and adaptive immune responses that generate wide-spread inflammation. Pregnancy-related adaptations of the immune and the cardiovascular systems appear to result in delayed recovery post-viral infection, which in turn promotes a prolonged inflammatory phenotype, increasing disease severity, and causing maternal and fetal health problems. This has immediate and long-term consequences for the mother and fetus, with complications including acute cardiopulmonary distress syndrome in the mother that lead to perinatal complications such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and birth defects; cleft lip, cleft palate, neural tube defects and congenital heart defects. In addition, an increased risk of long-term neurological disorders including schizophrenia in the offspring is reported. In this review we discuss the pathophysiology of IAV infection during pregnancy and its striking similarity to other well-established complications of pregnancy such as preeclampsia. We discuss general features of vascular disease with a focus on vascular inflammation and define the “Vascular Storm” that is triggered by influenza infection during pregnancy, as a pivotal disease mechanism for short and long term cardiovascular complications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Virus Infections in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes II)

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12 pages, 1437 KiB

Open AccessReview

Monkeypox and Pregnancy: Latest Updates

by Alexandre Cuérel, Guillaume Favre, Manon Vouga and Léo Pomar

Viruses 2022, 14(11), 2520; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14112520 - 14 Nov 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3172

Abstract

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) has emerged as a threatening zoonosis. Its spread around the world has been growing fast over the last 2 years, particularly in 2022. The reasons for this sudden spread are probably multifactorial. The R0 values of the two MPXV clades [...] Read more.

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) has emerged as a threatening zoonosis. Its spread around the world has been growing fast over the last 2 years, particularly in 2022. The reasons for this sudden spread are probably multifactorial. The R0 values of the two MPXV clades are rather low, and a massive pandemic is considered unlikely, although the increase in the number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms found in the 2022 MPXV strain could indicate an accelerated human adaptation. Very little is known about the risks of an infection during pregnancy for both the mother and the fetus. Further observations must be made to create clear, adapted, evidence-based guidelines. This article summarizes the current knowledge about MPXV infections and similar pregnancy virus infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Virus Infections in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes II)

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Other

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13 pages, 1026 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Congenital Zika Syndrome and Disabilities of Feeding and Breastfeeding in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review

by Evangelia Antoniou, Paraskevi Eva Andronikidi, Panagiotis Eskitzis, Maria Iliadou, Ermioni Palaska, Maria Tzitiridou-Chatzopoulou, Nikolaos Rigas and Eirini Orovou

Viruses 2023, 15(3), 601; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15030601 - 22 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1263

Abstract

Background: The Zika virus outbreak has affected pregnant women and their infants. Affected infants develop microcephaly and other congenital malformations referred to as congenital Zika syndrome. The neurological manifestations of congenital Zika syndrome may result in some feeding disorders, including dysphagia, swallowing dysfunction [...] Read more.

Background: The Zika virus outbreak has affected pregnant women and their infants. Affected infants develop microcephaly and other congenital malformations referred to as congenital Zika syndrome. The neurological manifestations of congenital Zika syndrome may result in some feeding disorders, including dysphagia, swallowing dysfunction and choking while feeding. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of feeding and breastfeeding difficulties in children with congenital Zika syndrome and to estimate the risk of developing feeding disabilities. Methods: We searched PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus for studies published from 2017 to 2021. From the total of 360 papers, reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and publications in languages other than English were excluded. Therefore, the final sample of our study consisted of 11 articles about the feeding/breastfeeding difficulties of infants and children with congenital Zika syndrome. Results: Infants and children with congenital Zika syndrome were likely to suffer from feeding difficulties at various levels, including breastfeeding. Dysphagia problems ranged from 17.9% to 70%, and nutritional and non-nutritive suckling of infants was also affected. Conclusions: In addition to continuing to investigate the neurodevelopment of affected children, future research should also focus on the severity of factors influencing the degree of dysphagia, as well as the impact of breastfeeding on the child’s overall development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Virus Infections in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes II)

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9 pages, 2231 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Prenatal Diagnosis of Congenital Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infection: A Case Report

by Fanny Tevaearai, Laureline Moser and Léo Pomar

Viruses 2022, 14(11), 2586; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14112586 - 21 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1714

Abstract

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is an emerging neuroteratogen which can infect humans via contact with urine, feces, saliva, or blood of infected rodents. When the infection occurs during pregnancy, there is a risk of transplacental infection with subsequent neurological or visual impairment in [...] Read more.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is an emerging neuroteratogen which can infect humans via contact with urine, feces, saliva, or blood of infected rodents. When the infection occurs during pregnancy, there is a risk of transplacental infection with subsequent neurological or visual impairment in the fetus. In this article, we describe a case report of congenital LCMV infection, including fetal imaging, confirmed by positive LCMV IgM in fetal blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Virus Infections in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes II)

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6 pages, 261 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Cytomegalovirus Specific Serological and Molecular Markers in a Series of Pregnant Women with Cytomegalovirus Non Primary Infection

by Claire Périllaud-Dubois, Emmanuelle Letamendia, Elise Bouthry, Rana Rafek, Isabelle Thouard, Corinne Vieux-Combe, Olivier Picone, Anne-Gaël Cordier and Christelle Vauloup-Fellous

Viruses 2022, 14(11), 2425; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14112425 - 31 Oct 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1266

Abstract

(1) Background: In a period where systematic screening of CMV during pregnancy is still debated, diagnosis of non primary infection (NPI) remains challenging and an obstacle to systematic screening. Our aim is to report kinetics of serological and molecular CMV markers of NPI. [...] Read more.

(1) Background: In a period where systematic screening of CMV during pregnancy is still debated, diagnosis of non primary infection (NPI) remains challenging and an obstacle to systematic screening. Our aim is to report kinetics of serological and molecular CMV markers of NPI. (2) Methods: We identified immunocompetent pregnant women with CMV NPI as women known to be seropositive for CMV before pregnancy who gave birth to cCMV infected infants. We performed CMV-IgG, CMV-IgM, CMV-IgG avidity and CMV PCR retrospectively on sequential serum samples collected during pregnancy. (3) Results: We collected 195 serum samples from 53 pregnant women with NPI during pregnancy. For 29/53 (55%) patients, no markers of active infection were observed (stable IgG titers, negative IgM and negative PCR). CMV PCR was positive in at least one serum for 18/53 (34%) patients and median viral load was 46 copies/mL, IQR (21–65). (4) Conclusions: For more than half of patients with confirmed CMV NPI during pregnancy, available diagnostic tools are liable to fail in detecting an active infection. These should therefore not be used and universal neonatal screening for CMV remains the only way to detect all cCMV infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Virus Infections in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes II)

7 pages, 880 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Low Susceptibility of Rubella Virus in First-Trimester Trophoblast Cell Lines

by Ngan Thi Kim Pham, Quang Duy Trinh, Kazuhide Takada, Shihoko Komine-Aizawa and Satoshi Hayakawa

Viruses 2022, 14(6), 1169; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14061169 - 27 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1630

Abstract

We recently published an article about myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-independent rubella infection of keratinocytes in vitro, in which first-trimester trophoblast cells were shown as rubella virus (RuV)-resistant. Given an incident rate as high as 90% of congenital rubella syndrome in the first eight weeks [...] Read more.

We recently published an article about myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-independent rubella infection of keratinocytes in vitro, in which first-trimester trophoblast cells were shown as rubella virus (RuV)-resistant. Given an incident rate as high as 90% of congenital rubella syndrome in the first eight weeks of pregnancy, the RuV infection of first-trimester trophoblasts is considered key to opening the gate to transplacental transmission mechanisms. Therefore, with this study, we aimed to verify the susceptibility/resistance of first-trimester trophoblast cell lines, HTR-8/SVneo and Swan.71, against RuV. Cells cultured on multi-well plates were challenged with a RuV clinical strain at a multiplicity of infection from 5 to 10 for 3 h. The infectivity was investigated by immunofluorescence (IF) assay and flow cytometry (FCM) analysis. Supernatants collected during the post-infection period were used to determine virus-progeny production. The scattered signaling of RuV infection of these cells was noted by IF assay, and the FCM analysis showed an average of 4–5% of gated cells infected with RuV. In addition, a small but significant production of virus progeny was also observed. In conclusion, by employing appropriate approaches, we determined the low infectivity of RuV in first-trimester trophoblast cell lines but not resistance as in our previous report. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Virus Infections in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes II)

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