Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 in the Vaginal Secretions of Women with COVID-19: A Prospective Study

Barber, Elad; Kovo, Michal; Leytes, Sophia; Sagiv, Ron; Weiner, Eran; Schwartz, Orna; Mashavi, Margarita; Holtzman, Keren; Bar, Jacob; Engel, Anat; Ginath, Shimon

doi:10.3390/jcm10122735

Cited by 18 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…These findings further enhance the potential of infection in the female reproductive system. Consistent with this, three studies have reported the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in vaginal swabs ( Scorzolini et al , 2020 ; Barber et al , 2021 ; Schwartz et al , 2021 ). However, the overall side effects of COVID-19 on the female reproductive system have remained unclear.…”

Section: Effects Of Covid-19 On Male and Female Reproductive Systemssupporting

confidence: 67%

Effects of COVID-19 and mRNA vaccines on human fertility

et al. 2021

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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has precipitated a global health crisis of unprecedented proportions. Because of its severe impact, multiple COVID-19 vaccines are being rapidly developed, approved and manufactured. Among them, mRNA vaccines are considered as ideal candidates with special advantages to meet this challenge. However, some serious adverse events have been reported after their application, significantly increasing concerns about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines and doubts about the necessity of vaccination. Although several fertility societies have announced that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are unlikely to affect fertility, there is no denying that the current evidence is very limited, which is one of the reasons for vaccine hesitancy in the population, especially in pregnant women. Herein, we provide an in-depth discussion on the involvement of the male and female reproductive systems during SARS-CoV-2 infection or after vaccination. On one hand, despite the low risk of infection in the male reproductive system or fetus, COVID-19 could pose an enormous threat to human reproductive health. On the other hand, our review indicates that both men and women, especially pregnant women, have no fertility problems or increased adverse pregnancy outcomes after vaccination, and, in particular, the benefits of maternal antibodies transferred through the placenta outweigh any known or potential risks. Thus, in the case of the rapid spread of COVID-19, although further research is still required, especially a larger population-based longitudinal study, it is obviously a wise option to be vaccinated instead of suffering from serious adverse symptoms of virus infection.

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Section: Effects Of Covid-19 On Male and Female Reproductive Systemssupporting

confidence: 67%

Effects of COVID-19 and mRNA vaccines on human fertility

et al. 2021

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“…The presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus has also been detected in the lower genital tract of women with COVID-19 infection [ 215 ]. On the other hand, certain investigators have reported that SARS-CoV-2 virus is rarely detected in vaginal secretions [ 216 , 217 ].…”

Section: Impact Of Covid-19 and Evd On Pregnancymentioning

confidence: 99%

RNA Viruses, Pregnancy and Vaccination: Emerging Lessons from COVID-19 and Ebola Virus Disease

Dhanya¹,

Shailaja

Mary

et al. 2022

Pathogens

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Pathogenic viruses with an RNA genome represent a challenge for global human health since they have the tremendous potential to develop into devastating pandemics/epidemics. The management of the recent COVID-19 pandemic was possible to a certain extent only because of the strong foundations laid by the research on previous viral outbreaks, especially Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). A clear understanding of the mechanisms of the host immune response generated upon viral infections is a prime requisite for the development of new therapeutic strategies. Hence, we present here a comparative study of alterations in immune response upon SARS-CoV-2 and Ebola virus infections that illustrate many common features. Vaccination and pregnancy are two important aspects that need to be studied from an immunological perspective. So, we summarize the outcomes and immune responses in vaccinated and pregnant individuals in the context of COVID-19 and EVD. Considering the significance of immunomodulatory approaches in combating both these diseases, we have also presented the state of the art of such therapeutics and prophylactics. Currently, several vaccines against these viruses have been approved or are under clinical trials in various parts of the world. Therefore, we also recapitulate the latest developments in these which would inspire researchers to look for possibilities of developing vaccines against many other RNA viruses. We hope that the similar aspects in COVID-19 and EVD open up new avenues for the development of pan-viral therapies.

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“…Two studies have shown that the most common symptom observed in this population is cough ( Harel et al, 2021 ) and that the disease presents mostly as a mild or an asymptomatic one ( Rottenstreich et al, 2021 ). The majority of pregnant women were in their third trimester at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis and delivery ( Mohr-Sasson et al, 2020 ; Barber et al, 2021 ; Harel et al, 2021 ; Rottenstreich et al, 2021 ). Vaginal delivery was the most common, followed by C-section that was mainly performed based on obstetric indication and not due to the SARS-CoV-2 infection ( Mohr-Sasson et al, 2020 ; Barber et al, 2021 ; Rottenstreich et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Pregnant Women and Neonatesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The majority of pregnant women were in their third trimester at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis and delivery ( Mohr-Sasson et al, 2020 ; Barber et al, 2021 ; Harel et al, 2021 ; Rottenstreich et al, 2021 ). Vaginal delivery was the most common, followed by C-section that was mainly performed based on obstetric indication and not due to the SARS-CoV-2 infection ( Mohr-Sasson et al, 2020 ; Barber et al, 2021 ; Rottenstreich et al, 2021 ). Compared to non-pregnant patients, it was found in one study that the relative lymphocyte counts to white blood cells and the levels of WBC and absolute neutrophil counts are significantly reduced and increased in pregnant patients, respectively ( Mohr-Sasson et al, 2020 ; Barber et al, 2021 ; Table 1 ).…”

Section: Pregnant Women and Neonatesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Vaginal delivery was the most common, followed by C-section that was mainly performed based on obstetric indication and not due to the SARS-CoV-2 infection ( Mohr-Sasson et al, 2020 ; Barber et al, 2021 ; Rottenstreich et al, 2021 ). Compared to non-pregnant patients, it was found in one study that the relative lymphocyte counts to white blood cells and the levels of WBC and absolute neutrophil counts are significantly reduced and increased in pregnant patients, respectively ( Mohr-Sasson et al, 2020 ; Barber et al, 2021 ; Table 1 ). Furthermore, non-pregnant infected women are more likely to have chronic diseases and be hospitalized ( Barber et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Pregnant Women and Neonatesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prognosis of COVID-19 in the middle eastern population, knowns and unknowns

Dandachi

Aljabr

2022

Front. Microbiol.

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Since its emergence in China in 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has affected all countries worldwide. The virus is easily transmitted from one person to another via infected aerosols or contaminated surfaces. Unlike its counterparts, the prognosis of COVID-19 ranges from asymptomatic to critical disease or death. Several factors play a role in determining the severity of the disease in infected patients. Among others, is the pre-existence of an underlying medical condition such as diabetes, cancer, and others. Furthermore, although children are less prone to the severe form of the COVID-19 disease, they require attention due to the report of many atypical presentations of the infection, post-asymptomatic exposure. In the Middle East, little is known about the prognosis of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in high-risk categories, notably patients with diabetes, cancer, and pregnant women. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about this group of population in the middle eastern region as well as to highlight the gap in the literature. We have found that the majority of the papers were from the Gulf countries. Although, few studies were conducted; high-risk patients appear to have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 compared to their counterparts. Higher levels of inflammatory markers, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, D-dimer, and ferritin levels were also observed. Children are often asymptomatic or present with atypical presentations. More studies should be conducted to determine the clinical biomarkers of COVID-19 in high-risk categories to help in patient risk stratification and management in the middle eastern population.

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Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 in the Vaginal Secretions of Women with COVID-19: A Prospective Study

Cited by 18 publications

References 31 publications

Effects of COVID-19 and mRNA vaccines on human fertility

Effects of COVID-19 and mRNA vaccines on human fertility

RNA Viruses, Pregnancy and Vaccination: Emerging Lessons from COVID-19 and Ebola Virus Disease

Prognosis of COVID-19 in the middle eastern population, knowns and unknowns

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