Measles and Pregnancy: Immunity and Immunization—What Can Be Learned from Observing Complications during an Epidemic Year
Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease. Unvaccinated pregnant women are not only at risk of infection but also at risk of severe pregnancy complications. As measles causes a dysregulation of the entire immune system, we describe immunological variations and how immune response mechanisms ca...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Pregnancy |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/6532868 |
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| author | Rosalia Ragusa Armando Platania Mario Cuccia Gaetano Zappalà Gabriele Giorgianni Placido D’Agati Maria Alessandra Bellia Marina Marranzano |
| author_facet | Rosalia Ragusa Armando Platania Mario Cuccia Gaetano Zappalà Gabriele Giorgianni Placido D’Agati Maria Alessandra Bellia Marina Marranzano |
| author_sort | Rosalia Ragusa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease. Unvaccinated pregnant women are not only at risk of infection but also at risk of severe pregnancy complications. As measles causes a dysregulation of the entire immune system, we describe immunological variations and how immune response mechanisms can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. We evaluated data during the measles outbreak reported in the province of Catania, Italy, from May 2017 to June 2018. We controlled hospital discharge records for patients admitted to hospital obstetric wards searching the measles diagnostic code. We have indicated the case as “confirmed” when the IgM was found to be positive with the ELISA method. We registered 843 cases of measles and 51% were females (430 cases). 24 patients between the ages of 17 and 40 had measles while they were pregnant. Adverse pregnancy outcomes included 2 spontaneous abortions, 1 therapeutic abortion, 1 foetal death, and 6 preterm deliveries. Respiratory complications were more prevalent in pregnant women (21%) than in nonpregnant women with measles (9%). 14 health care workers (1.7%) were infected with measles, and none of these had been previously vaccinated. Immune response mechanisms were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with measles. To reduce the rate of measles complications, gynaecologists should investigate vaccination history and antibody test results in all women of childbearing age. During a measles outbreak, gynaecologists and midwives should be active proponents of vaccination administration and counteract any vaccine hesitancy not only in patients but also among health care workers. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-324ca1264a8a41a39830d768f742955a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2090-2727 2090-2735 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Pregnancy |
| spelling | doaj-art-324ca1264a8a41a39830d768f742955a2025-02-03T00:58:40ZengWileyJournal of Pregnancy2090-27272090-27352020-01-01202010.1155/2020/65328686532868Measles and Pregnancy: Immunity and Immunization—What Can Be Learned from Observing Complications during an Epidemic YearRosalia Ragusa0Armando Platania1Mario Cuccia2Gaetano Zappalà3Gabriele Giorgianni4Placido D’Agati5Maria Alessandra Bellia6Marina Marranzano7Health Technology Assessment Committee-University Hospital “G. Rodolico”, Via Santa Sofia, 78, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, ItalyEpidemiology and Prevention Service, ASP 3, Provincial Agency of Health of Catania, Via Tevere 32, San Gregorio di Catania, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, ItalySchool of Medicine, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 78 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, ItalyMeasles is a highly contagious airborne disease. Unvaccinated pregnant women are not only at risk of infection but also at risk of severe pregnancy complications. As measles causes a dysregulation of the entire immune system, we describe immunological variations and how immune response mechanisms can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. We evaluated data during the measles outbreak reported in the province of Catania, Italy, from May 2017 to June 2018. We controlled hospital discharge records for patients admitted to hospital obstetric wards searching the measles diagnostic code. We have indicated the case as “confirmed” when the IgM was found to be positive with the ELISA method. We registered 843 cases of measles and 51% were females (430 cases). 24 patients between the ages of 17 and 40 had measles while they were pregnant. Adverse pregnancy outcomes included 2 spontaneous abortions, 1 therapeutic abortion, 1 foetal death, and 6 preterm deliveries. Respiratory complications were more prevalent in pregnant women (21%) than in nonpregnant women with measles (9%). 14 health care workers (1.7%) were infected with measles, and none of these had been previously vaccinated. Immune response mechanisms were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with measles. To reduce the rate of measles complications, gynaecologists should investigate vaccination history and antibody test results in all women of childbearing age. During a measles outbreak, gynaecologists and midwives should be active proponents of vaccination administration and counteract any vaccine hesitancy not only in patients but also among health care workers.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/6532868 |
| spellingShingle | Rosalia Ragusa Armando Platania Mario Cuccia Gaetano Zappalà Gabriele Giorgianni Placido D’Agati Maria Alessandra Bellia Marina Marranzano Measles and Pregnancy: Immunity and Immunization—What Can Be Learned from Observing Complications during an Epidemic Year Journal of Pregnancy |
| title | Measles and Pregnancy: Immunity and Immunization—What Can Be Learned from Observing Complications during an Epidemic Year |
| title_full | Measles and Pregnancy: Immunity and Immunization—What Can Be Learned from Observing Complications during an Epidemic Year |
| title_fullStr | Measles and Pregnancy: Immunity and Immunization—What Can Be Learned from Observing Complications during an Epidemic Year |
| title_full_unstemmed | Measles and Pregnancy: Immunity and Immunization—What Can Be Learned from Observing Complications during an Epidemic Year |
| title_short | Measles and Pregnancy: Immunity and Immunization—What Can Be Learned from Observing Complications during an Epidemic Year |
| title_sort | measles and pregnancy immunity and immunization what can be learned from observing complications during an epidemic year |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/6532868 |
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