SARS-CoV-2 replicates in the placenta after maternal infection during pregnancy.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Pregnant women are at increased risk for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and adverse neonatal outcome, primarily preterm birth and stillbirth. Our study aimed to investigate to which extent SARS-CoV-2 affects placental tissue and if viral replication within the placenta is evident, thus if there is a correlation between placental damage and adverse pregnancy outcome such as stillbirth.

Methods

We prospectively collected placentas from 61 SARS-CoV-2 infected pregnant women and 10 controls. Histopathological, immunohistochemical, and in situ hybridization studies were performed on all placentas with antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 proteins, ACE2, various immune cells, and inflammatory markers or probes for SARS-CoV-2 genes and an antisense strand.

Results

The me

SUBMITTER: Radan AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11409086 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature