ABSTRACT
Colostrum performs nutritional, anti-inflammatory and anti-infective functions and promotes immune system formation and organ development. The new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has generated concerns about viral transmission through human milk, with a lack of evidence about human milk's protective effects against the infection. This study aimed at analyzing presence of the virus and at identifying the protein expression profile of human colostrum in active and COVID-19-recovered patients. Colostrum samples were collected from women with COVID-19 (n = 3), women recently recovered from the infection (n = 4), and non-infected women (n = 5). The samples were analyzed by means of RT-qPCR to determine presence of the virus and using SWATH-MS for proteomic analysis. Proteomic results were then analyzed using bioinformatic methods. The viral tests were negative for SARS-CoV-2 in the colostrum from COVID-19 patients. The proteomic analysis identified 301 common proteins in all samples analyzed. Nineteen proteins were upregulated and 7 were downregulated in the COVID-19 group versus the control samples, whereas 18 were upregulated and 7 were downregulated when comparing the COVID-19 group to the recovered group. Eleven proteins were biomarkers of active COVID-19 infection. Ten were upregulated: ACTN1, CD36, FAM3B, GPRC5B, IGHA2, IGK, PLTP, RAC1, SDCBP and SERPINF1, and one was downregulated: PSAP. These proteins are mainly related to immunity, inflammatory response and protein transport. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that colostrum is not a vehicle for mother-to-child SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Moreover, the colostrum's proteome of active and recuperated patients indicate that it could provide immune benefits to infants.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 has reached pandemic proportions worldwide, with considerable consequences for both health and the economy. In pregnant women, COVID-19 can alter the metabolic environment, iron metabolism, and oxygen supply of trophoblastic cells, and therefore have a negative influence on essential mechanisms of fetal development. The purpose of this study was to investigate, for the first time, the effects of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy with regard to the oxidative/antioxidant status in mothers' serum and placenta, together with placental iron metabolism. Results showed no differences in superoxide dismutase activity and placental antioxidant capacity. However, antioxidant capacity decreased in the serum of infected mothers. Catalase activity decreased in the COVID-19 group, while an increase in 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, hydroperoxides, 15-FT-isoprostanes, and carbonyl groups were recorded in this group. Placental vitamin D, E, and Coenzyme-Q10 also showed to be increased in the COVID-19 group. As for iron-related proteins, an up-regulation of placental DMT1, ferroportin-1, and ferritin expression was recorded in infected women. Due to the potential role of iron metabolism and oxidative stress in placental function and complications, further research is needed to explain the pathogenic mechanism of COVID-19 that may affect pregnancy, so as to assess the short-term and long-term outcomes in mothers' and infants' health.
ABSTRACT
Describimos el caso de una gestante de 29semanas que ingresó tras presentar una crisis comicial generalizada tónico-clónica, sin antecedentes de epilepsia. Se descartó en un primer momento, por la clínica y la analítica, el cuadro de eclampsia y se contactó con neurología, que tras el estudio exhaustivo de la paciente la diagnosticó de neurocisticercosis cerebral. El tratamiento etiológico permitió llevar la gestación a término con normalidad, evitando así la gran morbimortalidad que hubiera supuesto finalizar la gestación prematuramente de no haber realizado un correcto diagnóstico diferencial. Mostramos también la necesidad de descartar enfermedades parasitarias no endémicas en nuestro medio en población inmigrante (AU)
We describe the case of a 29 weeks pregnant woman admitted after suffering her first generalised tonic-clonic seizure. Eclampsia was first ruled out by means of clinical history and analytical findings. The neurology department, after an exhaustive study, diagnosed the patient with cerebral neuro cysticercosis. She received aetiological treatment which enabled her to have a normal pregnancy and delivery, thus avoiding a pre-term delivery, which is associated with high foetal morbidity and mortality. We also show the need to rule out non-endemic parasitic infection in our immigrant population (AU)
