scholarly journals Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to premature twins from an asymptomatic mother

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippa Gaunt ◽  
Imran Ahmed ◽  
Ruppa Geethanath ◽  
Majd Abu-Harb ◽  
Chike Onwuneme
Keyword(s):  
Caesarean Section ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Vertical Transmission ◽  
Horizontal Transmission ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
Positive Mother ◽  
Intrauterine Transmission

AbstractObjectivesThe incidence of vertically transmitted severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) could be higher than published. We feel that cases of SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission are under-reported.Case presentationWe report a case of SARS-CoV-2 in premature monochorionic monoamniotic twins born by caesarean section to an asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive mother.ConclusionsThis case supports the potential for intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 as previously reported. The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission from reported cases is low; however this may be due to the difficulty disproving horizontal transmission or under-reporting of cases.

scholarly journals Decreased Fetal Movements: A Sign of Placental SARS-CoV-2 Infection with Perinatal Brain Injury

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2517
Author(s):  
Guillaume Favre ◽  
Sara Mazzetti ◽  
Carole Gengler ◽  
Claire Bertelli ◽  
Juliane Schneider ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Caesarean Section ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Vertical Transmission ◽  
Fetal Heart ◽  
Heart Rhythm ◽  
Emergency Caesarean Section ◽  
Perinatal Brain Injury ◽  
Postnatal Transmission ◽  
Fetal Movements

Neonatal COVID-19 is rare and mainly results from postnatal transmission. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), however, can infect the placenta and compromise its function. We present two cases of decreased fetal movements and abnormal fetal heart rhythm 5 days after mild maternal COVID-19, requiring emergency caesarean section at 29 + 3 and 32 + 1 weeks of gestation, and leading to brain injury. Placental examination revealed extensive and multifocal chronic intervillositis, with intense cytoplasmic positivity for SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody and SARS-CoV-2 detection by RT-qPCR. Vertical transmission was confirmed in one case, and both neonates developed extensive cystic peri-ventricular leukomalacia.

scholarly journals A case series of ischemic stroke with coronavirus disease 2019 in two Egyptian centers

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nevine El Nahas ◽  
Tamer Roushdy ◽  
Eman Hamid ◽  
Sherien Farag ◽  
Hossam Shokri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Cerebrovascular Disorders ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Neurological Manifestations ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
Novel Virus

Abstract Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel virus that has been reported to have various neurological manifestations. Cerebrovascular disorders have been encountered as a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presentation in our center during the pandemic. Case presentation We are presenting 10 cases with cerebrovascular manifestations after having COVID-19 few days prior to stroke. Conclusion Cerebrovascular manifestations can occur in association with COVID-19 and may have significant implications on prognosis and management.

scholarly journals Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Placental Infection and Inflammation Leading to Fetal Distress and Neonatal Multi-Organ Failure in an Asymptomatic Woman

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Schoenmakers ◽  
Pauline Snijder ◽  
Robert M Verdijk ◽  
Thijs Kuiken ◽  
Sylvia S M Kamphuis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Vertical Transmission ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Antigen Expression ◽  
Fetal Distress ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Placental Infection ◽  
Emergency Cesarean ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background In general, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during pregnancy is not considered to be an increased risk for severe maternal outcomes but has been associated with an increased risk for fetal distress. Maternal-fetal transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was initially deemed uncertain; however, recently a few cases of vertical transmission have been reported. The intrauterine mechanisms, besides direct vertical transmission, leading to the perinatal adverse outcomes are not well understood. Methods Multiple maternal, placental, and neonatal swabs were collected for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Serology of immunoglobulins against SARS-CoV-2 was tested in maternal, umbilical cord, and neonatal blood. Placental examination included immunohistochemical investigation against SARS-CoV-2 antigen expression, with SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) in situ hybridization and transmission electron microscopy. Results RT-qPCRs of the oropharynx, maternal blood, vagina, placenta, and urine were all positive over a period of 6 days, while breast milk, feces, and all neonatal samples tested negative. Placental findings showed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 particles with generalized inflammation characterized by histiocytic intervillositis with diffuse perivillous fibrin depositions with damage to the syncytiotrophoblasts. Conclusions Placental infection by SARS-CoV-2 leads to fibrin depositions hampering fetal-maternal gas exchange with resulting fetal distress necessitating a premature emergency cesarean section. Postpartum, the neonate showed a fetal or pediatric inflammatory multisystem-like syndrome with coronary artery ectasia temporarily associated with SARS-CoV-2 for which admittance and care on the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were required, despite being negative for SARS-CoV-2. This highlights the need for awareness of adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes during the current coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, especially considering that the majority of pregnant women appear asymptomatic.

scholarly journals Misfortune never comes singly - the first case of COVID-19 with rupture of thoracic aortic aneurysm

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kun Zhao ◽  
Zhang Cao ◽  
Changju Zhu ◽  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Feifan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Aneurysm ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
First Case

Abstract Background: SARS-CoV-2 is a newly discovered virus, leading COVID-19 a global threaten nowadays. Case Presentation: The first case of a patient with a thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) that became infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was reported here. The patient died suddenly from a ruptured aorta 19 h after hospital admission. Conclusion: COVID-19 patients with TAA should attract the highest vigilance as COVID-19 might expedite the process of TAA rupture through cytokine storm syndrome, leading to rapid death with little or no warning signs.

scholarly journals Infections in Pregnancy With COVID-19 and Other Respiratory RNA Virus Diseases Are Rarely, If Ever, Transmitted to the Fetus: Experiences With Coronaviruses, Parainfluenza, Metapneumovirus Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and Influenza

2020 ◽  
Vol 144 (8) ◽  
pp. 920-928 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Schwartz ◽  
Amareen Dhaliwal
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Rna Viruses ◽  
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Intrauterine Transmission ◽  
Fetal Infection ◽  
Syncytial Virus ◽  
Maternal Fetal Transmission

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is similar to 2 other coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), in causing life-threatening maternal respiratory infections and systemic complications. Because of global concern for potential intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from pregnant women to their infants, this report analyzes the effects on pregnancy of infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory RNA viruses, and examines the frequency of maternal-fetal transmission with SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza (HPIV), and metapneumovirus (hMPV). There have been no confirmed cases of intrauterine transmission reported with SARS-CoV-2 or any other coronaviruses—SARS and MERS. Influenza virus, despite causing approximately 1 billion annual infections globally, has only a few cases of confirmed or suspected intrauterine fetal infections reported. Respiratory syncytial virus is an unusual cause of illness among pregnant women, and with the exception of 1 premature infant with congenital pneumonia, no other cases of maternal-fetal infection are described. Parainfluenza virus and hMPV can produce symptomatic maternal infections but do not cause intrauterine fetal infection. In summary, it appears that the absence thus far of maternal-fetal transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the COVID-19 pandemic is similar to other coronaviruses, and is also consistent with the extreme rarity of suggested or confirmed cases of intrauterine transmission of other respiratory RNA viruses. This observation has important consequences for pregnant women because it appears that if intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 does eventually occur, it will be a rare event. Potential mechanisms of fetal protection from maternal viral infections are also discussed.

scholarly journals Simulated folivory increases vertical transmission of fungal endophytes that deter herbivores and alter tolerance to herbivory in Poa autumnalis

2020 ◽  
Vol 125 (6) ◽  
pp. 981-991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro E Gundel ◽  
Prudence Sun ◽  
Nikki D Charlton ◽  
Carolyn A Young ◽  
Tom E X Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Transmission ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Horizontal Transmission ◽  
Fungal Endophytes ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Plant Tolerance ◽  
Hyphal Density ◽  
Symbiotic Fungi ◽  
Symbiont Transmission ◽  
Fitness Benefits

Abstract Background and Aims The processes that maintain variation in the prevalence of symbioses within host populations are not well understood. While the fitness benefits of symbiosis have clearly been shown to drive changes in symbiont prevalence, the rate of transmission has been less well studied. Many grasses host symbiotic fungi (Epichloë spp.), which can be transmitted vertically to seeds or horizontally via spores. These symbionts may protect plants against herbivores by producing alkaloids or by increasing tolerance to damage. Therefore, herbivory may be a key ecological factor that alters symbiont prevalence within host populations by affecting either symbiont benefits to host fitness or the symbiont transmission rate. Here, we addressed the following questions: Does symbiont presence modulate plant tolerance to herbivory? Does folivory increase symbiont vertical transmission to seeds or hyphal density in seedlings? Do plants with symbiont horizontal transmission have lower rates of vertical transmission than plants lacking horizontal transmission? Methods We studied the grass Poa autumnalis and its symbiotic fungi in the genus Epichloë. We measured plant fitness (survival, growth, reproduction) and symbiont transmission to seeds following simulated folivory in a 3-year common garden experiment and surveyed natural populations that varied in mode of symbiont transmission. Key Results Poa autumnalis hosted two Epichloë taxa, an undescribed vertically transmitted Epichloë sp. PauTG-1 and E. typhina subsp. poae with both vertical and horizontal transmission. Simulated folivory reduced plant survival, but endophyte presence increased tolerance to damage and boosted fitness. Folivory increased vertical transmission and hyphal density within seedlings, suggesting induced protection for progeny of damaged plants. Across natural populations, the prevalence of vertical transmission did not correlate with symbiont prevalence or differ with mode of transmission. Conclusions Herbivory not only mediated the reproductive fitness benefits of symbiosis, but also promoted symbiosis prevalence by increasing vertical transmission of the fungus to the next generation. Our results reveal a new mechanism by which herbivores could influence the prevalence of microbial symbionts in host populations.

scholarly journals Evolution of early male-killing in horizontally transmitted parasites

2015 ◽  
Vol 282 (1818) ◽  
pp. 20152068 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronika Bernhauerová ◽  
Luděk Berec ◽  
Daniel Maxin
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Vertical Transmission ◽  
Bacterial Strain ◽  
Horizontal Transmission ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
High Efficacy ◽  
Infected Male ◽  
Male Killing ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Male Killer

Early male-killing (MK) bacteria are vertically transmitted reproductive parasites which kill male offspring that inherit them. Whereas their incidence is well documented, characteristics allowing originally non-MK bacteria to gradually evolve MK ability remain unclear. We show that horizontal transmission is a mechanism enabling vertically transmitted bacteria to evolve fully efficient MK under a wide range of host and parasite characteristics, especially when the efficacy of vertical transmission is high. We also show that an almost 100% vertically transmitted and 100% effective male-killer may evolve from a purely horizontally transmitted non-MK ancestor, and that a 100% efficient male-killer can form a stable coexistence only with a non-MK bacterial strain. Our findings are in line with the empirical evidence on current MK bacteria, explain their high efficacy in killing infected male embryos and their variability within and across insect taxa, and suggest that they may have evolved independently in phylogenetically distinct species.

scholarly journals Caesarean Section to Prevent Transmission of Hepatitis B: A Meta-Analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 439-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew S Chang ◽  
Sravanya Gavini ◽  
Priscila C Andrade ◽  
Julia McNabb-Baltar
Keyword(s):  
Caesarean Section ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Vaginal Delivery ◽  
Vertical Transmission ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Delivery Mode ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Manual Search ◽  
Hbv Transmission

BACKGROUND: Vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) occurs in up to 10% to 20% of births.OBJECTIVE: To assess whether Caesarean section, compared with vaginal delivery, prevents HBV transmission.METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. Two investigators independently searched PubMed, EMBASE and other databases for relevant studies published between 1988 and 2013. A manual search of relevant topics and major conferences for abstracts was also conducted. Randomized trials, cohort and case-control studies assessing the effect of delivery mode on vertical transmission of HBV were included. Studies assessing antiviral therapy and patients with coinfection were excluded. The primary outcome was HBV transmission rates according to delivery method.RESULTS: Of the 430 studies identified, 10 were included. Caesarean section decreased the odds of HBV transmission by 38% compared with vaginal delivery (OR 0.62 [95% CI 0.40 to 0.98]; P=0.04) based on a random-effects model. Significant heterogeneity among studies was found (I2=63%; P=0.003), which was largely explained by variation in hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) administration. Meta-regression showed a significant linear association between the percentage of infants receiving HBIG per study and the log OR (P=0.005), with the least benefit observed in studies with 100% HBIG administration. Subgroup analysis of hepatitis B e-antigen-positive women who underwent Caesarean section did not show a significant reduction in vertical transmission.DISCUSSION: Caesarean section may protect against HBV transmission; however, convincing benefit could not be demonstrated due to significant study heterogeneity from variable HBIG administration, highlighting the importance of HBIG in HBV prevention.CONCLUSION: More high-quality studies are needed before any recommendations can be made.

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