The COVID-19 pandemic has put the world in turmoil and has made us rethink our approach towards healthcare. The infection has posed a significant risk to different populations, including the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions. Despite its high transmission rate, some groups have shown a unique immune response towards the virus, including pregnant women. Recent research has shown that pregnant women infected with COVID-19 have a distinct immune response. In this article, we’ll explore this unique response, what it means for pregnant women, and how the information can aid in developing better healthcare measures to combat the virus.
A recent JCI Insight study has analyzed the immune responses of pregnant women to COVID-19, which could potentially help to formulate better treatment strategies for pregnant women with COVID-19. The study collected blood samples from 23 pregnant women with PCR-confirmed COVID-19, 12 of whom developed an acute infection and 14 had recovered from the infection. Blood samples from 33 non-pregnant women with COVID-19 were collected, 12 of whom were acutely infected and 14 were convalescent. The study also collected blood samples from a control group consisting of 21 healthy pregnant women and 42 healthy non-pregnant women who did not have a history of COVID-19. The study analyzed 217 immunological parameters and analyzed blood samples from one to 258 days after disease onset, which provides a comprehensive map of immune responses during acute and convalescent phases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women.
The study found that unvaccinated pregnant and non-pregnant women with acute or convalescent SARS-CoV-2 infection had similar levels of antibody production and adaptive cellular responses. However, the NK and γδ T-cell activation, as well as inflammation, were altered during pregnancy. Pregnant women are considered to be highly susceptible to COVID-19 due to immunological and physiological changes that occur during pregnancy. Previous studies have indicated that SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy increases the risks of hospitalization, invasive ventilation, ICU admission, sepsis, shock, acute renal failure, ECMO, death, and thromboembolic disease as compared to non-pregnant individuals. In addition, as compared to a healthy pregnancy, those with COVID-19 have been found to be at a higher risk of preterm birth, preeclampsia, and gestational hypertension.
The study identified differences in the abundance of natural killer (NK), natural killer T (NKT), and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells between COVID-19 convalescent pregnant and non-pregnant women. Pregnant women who remained asymptomatic or developed mild COVID-19 symptoms exhibited higher levels of low-density neutrophils, which has been frequently observed in severely infected COVID-19 patients. Women undergoing a healthy pregnancy have a higher abundance of activated NK and γδ T-cells, which could have prevented the development of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study found that lower levels of circulating MAIT cells were also found in healthy pregnant women, which remained consistent, even during the acute infection phase. In the second and third trimesters of a healthy pregnancy, higher frequencies of a CD56+ γδ T-cell subset were observed as compared with nonpregnant women. The study concluded that the immune responses of pregnant women to COVID-19 are unique and require further analysis.
In conclusion, this new study highlights the importance of understanding the unique ways in which pregnant women’s bodies respond to COVID-19. With their heightened immune response, pregnant women may be at a greater risk for severe illness, making it all the more critical that they receive appropriate care and preventative measures to protect themselves and their growing babies. As researchers continue to investigate the impacts of COVID-19, it is essential that we remain vigilant and stay informed to protect the health and wellbeing of all individuals, especially those most vulnerable.
