Cytokine response over the course of COVID-19 infection in pregnant women

• Main Authors: Cagino, K.A (Author), Capili, A. (Author), Friedlander, R.L (Author), Gejman, R.S (Author), Glynn, S.M (Author), Kubiak, J.M (Author), Matthews, K.C (Author), Murphy, E.A (Author), Prabhu, M. (Author), Rand, S. (Author), Riley, L.E (Author), Rosen, D.B (Author), Yang, Y.J (Author), Yee, J. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Academic Press 2022
• Subjects: Cytokine profile; Interferon; Interleukin; Pregnancy; SARS-CoV-2
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 Objective: To study how severity and progression of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) affect cytokine profiles in pregnant women. Materials and methods: 69 third-trimester, pregnant women were tested for COVID-19 infection and SARS-CoV-2 specific IgM and IgG antibodies. Patients were stratified according to SARS-CoV-2 Reverse Transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) status and serology (IgM and IgG) status. Cytokines G-CSF, HGF, IL-18, IL-1Ra, IL-2Ra, IL-8, and IP-10 were measured via ELISA. Retrospective chart review for COVID-19 symptoms and patient vitals was conducted, and cytokine levels were compared between SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative cohorts, by seronegative and seropositive infection, by time course since onset of infection, and according to NIH defined clinical severity. Results: IL-18, IL-1Ra, and IP-10 increased in the 44 RT-PCR positive pregnant women compared to the 25 RT-PCR negative pregnant controls. Elevated cytokine levels were found in early infections, defined by positive RT-PCR and seronegative status, and higher cytokine levels were also associated with more severe disease. By IgM seroconversion, IL-8 and IP-10 returned to levels seen in uninfected patients, while IL-18 levels remained significantly elevated. Conclusion: Cytokine profiles of third-trimester pregnant women vary with the time course of infection and are correlated with clinical severity. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd