Seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies among first‐trimester pregnant women during the second wave of the pandemic in India

Abstract

Objective Data on the immune response to SARS‐CoV‐2 during pregnancy are lacking and the potential role and effect of SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination in pregnancy is yet to be completely investigated. Method This is a cross‐sectional observational study wherein pregnant women were tested for SARS‐CoV‐2 immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G levels, irrespective of their infective status or presence or symptomatology. Result Of the 220 pregnant women tested, 160 (72.7%) were SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG positive, 37 (16.8%) were SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM positive and 27 (16.9%) were both IgG and IgM positive. The average antibody titer found was 10.49 BAU/ml (±14.0) and 0.6 (±0.55) for anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG and IgM non neutralizing antibodies respectively. ROC analysis for SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG positivity showed a cut‐off value of 1.19 with a sensitivity of 99.3% (0.99 AUC, 95% CI) and specificity of 98.3% (0.99 AUC, 95% CI), respectively. Similarly, ROC analysis for SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM positivity showed a cut‐off value of 1 with a sensitivity of 97.3% (0.99 AUC, 95% CI) and specificity of 98.9% (0.99 AUC, 95% CI), respectively. Conclusion First trimester sero‐molecular screening suggests a high prevalence of COVID antibodies in the study population of pregnant women in the first trimester, without the patients being symptomatic.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and longitudinal antibody response following natural infection in pregnancy: a prospective cohort study

“…Antenatal care offers a unique opportunity to assess SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among pregnant people, including those with previously unknown infection [1]. Prior SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence studies among pregnant people have been primarily cross-sectional, often focused at delivery in the hospital, and have potentially missed pregnant people infected earlier in pregnancy whose antibody response has waned by the time of delivery, including those with asymptomatic infection or mild disease [2][3][4]. Natural infection with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy may provide some protection against infection during the peripartum period in pregnant people and their infants, but longitudinal immunological responses across the pregnancy-postpartum continuum have not been well characterized.…”

Letter to the Editor: Seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies among first‐trimester pregnant women during the second wave of the pandemic in India

“…We would like to share ideas on the publication “Seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies among first‐trimester pregnant women during the second wave of the pandemic in India. 1 ” According to Sharma et al, first‐trimester sero‐molecular screening indicates a significant incidence of COVID antibodies in the study group of pregnant women in the first trimester, even though the patients were asymptomatic. 1 This report may contain helpful epidemiological information.…”

“… 1 ” According to Sharma et al, first‐trimester sero‐molecular screening indicates a significant incidence of COVID antibodies in the study group of pregnant women in the first trimester, even though the patients were asymptomatic. 1 This report may contain helpful epidemiological information. The presence of asymptomatic COVID‐19 in any population group is undeniable.…”

“…We would like to share ideas on the publication “Seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies among first‐trimester pregnant women during the second wave of the pandemic in India 1 1 . This report may contain helpful epidemiological information.…”

Response: Seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies among first‐trimester pregnant women during the second wave of the pandemic in India

“…We read with interest the Letter to the Editor from Sookaromdee & Wiwanitkit regarding our recent publication on seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies among first‐trimester pregnant women during the second wave of the pandemic in India. 1 …”