Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission during pregnancy

Claudio Fenizia, Mara Biasin, Irene Cetin, Patrizia Vergani, Davide Mileto, Arsenio Spinillo, Maria Rita Gismondo, Francesca Perotti, Clelia Callegari, Alessandro Mancon, Selene Cammarata, Ilaria Beretta, Manuela Nebuloni, Daria Trabattoni, Mario Clerici and Valeria Savasi ()
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Claudio Fenizia: University of Milan
Mara Biasin: University of Milan
Irene Cetin: Department of Woman, Mother and Neonate Buzzi Children’s Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli‐Sacco, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
Patrizia Vergani: Fondazione MBBM, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milan-Bicocca
Davide Mileto: Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bio-emergence Diagnosis, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan
Arsenio Spinillo: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia
Maria Rita Gismondo: Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bio-emergence Diagnosis, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan
Francesca Perotti: IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo
Clelia Callegari: Fondazione MBBM, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milan-Bicocca
Alessandro Mancon: Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bio-emergence Diagnosis, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan
Selene Cammarata: Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Department of Biological and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan
Ilaria Beretta: San Gerardo Hospital, ASST Monza
Manuela Nebuloni: Pathology Unit, ASST Fatebenfretalli-Sacco, Department of Biological and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan
Daria Trabattoni: University of Milan
Mario Clerici: University of Milan
Valeria Savasi: Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Department of Biological and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during gestation remains unclear. Here, we analyse the viral genome on maternal and newborns nasopharyngeal swabs, vaginal swabs, maternal and umbilical cord plasma, placenta and umbilical cord biopsies, amniotic fluids and milk from 31 mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, we also test specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and expression of genes involved in inflammatory responses in placentas, and in maternal and umbilical cord plasma. We detect SARS-CoV-2 genome in one umbilical cord blood and in two at-term placentas, in one vaginal mucosa and in one milk specimen. Furthermore, we report the presence of specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies in one umbilical cord blood and in one milk specimen. Finally, in the three documented cases of vertical transmission, SARS-CoV-2 infection was accompanied by a strong inflammatory response. Together, these data support the hypothesis that in utero SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission, while low, is possible. These results might help defining proper obstetric management of COVID-19 pregnant women, or putative indications for mode and timing of delivery.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18933-4

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