Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Effectiveness Of Maternal Mrna Covid-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy Against Covid-19-Associated Hospitalizations In Infants Aged <6 Months During Sars-Cov-2 Omicron Predominance - 20 States, March 9, 2022-May 31, 2023., Regina M. Simeone, Laura D. Zambrano, Natasha B. Halasa, Katherine E. Fleming-Dutra, Margaret M. Newhams, Michael J. Wu, Amber O. Orzel-Lockwood, Satoshi Kamidani, Pia S. Pannaraj, Katherine Irby, Aline B. Maddux, Charlotte V. Hobbs, Melissa A. Cameron, Julie A. Boom, Leila C. Sahni, Michele Kong, Ryan A. Nofziger, Jennifer E. Schuster, Hillary Crandall, Janet R. Hume, Mary A. Staat, Elizabeth H. Mack, Tamara T. Bradford, Sabrina M. Heidemann, Emily R. Levy, Shira J. Gertz, Samina S. Bhumbra, Tracie C. Walker, Katherine E. Bline, Kelly N. Michelson, Matt S. Zinter, Heidi R. Flori, Angela P. Campbell, Adrienne G. Randolph, Overcoming Covid-19 Investigators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Infants aged < 6 months are not eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination during pregnancy has been associated with protection against infant COVID-19-related hospitalization. The Overcoming COVID-19 Network conducted a case-control study during March 9, 2022-May 31, 2023, to evaluate the effectiveness of maternal receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine dose (vaccine effectiveness [VE]) during pregnancy against COVID-19-related hospitalization in infants aged < 6 months and a subset of infants aged < 3 months. VE was calculated as (1 - adjusted odds ratio) x 100% among all infants aged < 6 months and < 3 months. Case-patients (infants hospitalized for COVID-19 outside of birth hospitalization and who had a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result) and control patients (infants hospitalized for COVID-19-like illness with a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result) were compared. Odds ratios were determined using multivariable logistic regression, comparing the odds of receipt of a maternal COVID-19 vaccine dose (completion of a 2-dose vaccination series or a third or higher dose) during pregnancy with maternal nonvaccination between case- and control patients. VE of maternal vaccination during pregnancy against COVID-19-related hospitalization was 35% (95% CI = 15%-51%) among infants aged < 6 months and 54% (95% CI = 32%-68%) among infants aged < 3 months. Intensive care unit admissions occurred in 23% of all case-patients, and invasive mechanical ventilation was more common among infants of unvaccinated (9%) compared with vaccinated mothers (1%) (p = 0.02). Maternal vaccination during pregnancy provides some protection against COVID-19-related hospitalizations among infants, particularly those aged < 3 months. Expectant mothers should remain current with COVID-19 vaccination to protect themselves and their infants from hospitalization and severe outcomes associated with COVID-19.

Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus In Person Living With Hiv, Connecticut, Usa, 2021, Jonathan Dyal, Shiv Gandhi, Caitlin M Cossaboom, Austin Leach, Ketan Patel, Marjorie Golden, Joseph Canterino, Marie-Louise Landry, Debi Cannon, Mary Choi, Inna Krapiunaya, John D Klena, Trevor Shoemaker

Journal Articles

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is an underreported cause of miscarriage and neurologic disease. Surveillance remains challenging because of nonspecific symptomatology, inconsistent case reporting, and difficulties with diagnostic testing. We describe a case of acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus disease in a person living with HIV in Connecticut, USA, identified by using quantitative reverse transcription PCR.

Neurotropic Manifestations As A Potential Risk Factor For Schizophrenia Following In Utero Exposure To Sars-Cov-2, Mir Ali R Talpur, Omar H. Elsayed, Rif S. El-Mallakh

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Background: COVID-19 infection is associated with neurologic and psychiatric morbidity that suggests a direct effect of the virus or secondary effect of an inflammatory process. These neuropsychiatric consequences may increase the likelihood of schizophrenia in the offspring of women who become infected with COVID-19 during their pregnancy.

Methods: We performed a directed narrative review of the literature focusing on the proposed pathophysiological processes that lead to schizophrenia and known pathological consequences of COVID-19 infection.

Results: Schizophrenia in adult offspring has been associated with maternal infections during pregnancy by a wide range of respiratory and neurotropic pathogens. Spikes in the incidence …

Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices (Kap) Towards Covid-19 Pandemic Among Pregnant Women In A Tertiary Hospital In Karachi, Pakistan, Sumaira Naz, Syeda Dur E Shawar, Shamila Saleem, Ayesha Malik, Amir Raza

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of the pregnant population during the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. KAP towards COVID-19 was assessed using 21-item questionnaires. A score for each category was calculated and points were summed. The outcome variables of KAP were compared with demographic characteristics. Data were analyzed by using SPSS 19.
Results: A total of 377 patients participated in the study. The majority of the patients were multiparous (36.8%) in the age group of …

The Efficacy Of Low-Dose Aspirin In Pregnancy Among Women In Malaria-Endemic Countries, Melissa Bauserman, Sequoia I Leuba, Jennifer Hemingway-Foday, Tracy L Nolen, Janet Moore, Elizabeth M Mcclure, Adrien Lokangaka, Antoinette Tsehfu, Jackie Patterson, Edward A Liechty, Fabian Esamai, Waldemar A Carlo, Elwyn Chomba, Robert L Goldenberg, Sarah Saleem, Saleem Jessani, Marion Koso-Thomas, Matthew Hoffman, Richard Derman, Steven R Meshnick, Carl L Bose

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Background: Low dose aspirin (LDA) is an effective strategy to reduce preterm birth. However, LDA might have differential effects globally, based on the etiology of preterm birth. In some regions, malaria in pregnancy could be an important modifier of LDA on birth outcomes and anemia.

Methods: This is a sub-study of the ASPIRIN trial, a multi-national, randomized, placebo controlled trial evaluating LDA effect on preterm birth. We enrolled a convenience sample of women in the ASPIRIN trial from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya and Zambia. We used quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect malaria. We calculated crude prevalence …

The Obstetrical Management Of Hiv-Positive Pregnancy, Mihai George Loghin, Petre Gabriel Gorescki, Romina Marina Sima, Liana Pleș, Daniela Gabriela Balan, Ioana Paunica, Oana Denisa Bălălău

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a real public health problem in both developing and developed countries. HIV infection has not been treated efficiently for a long time, with HIV-positive women at increased risk of transmitting the infection to their newborns. Without the appropriate treatment, the evolution of the infection is relatively fast. Due to the antiretroviral treatment, the progression of the disease is blocked during the period of asymptomatic infection, and the risk of neonatal transmission is very low. HIV-positive patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy develop undetectable viremia and, in such situations, patients no longer have a risk of …

Acute Ischemic Stroke As The Presenting Feature Of Covid-19 In The Young And Pregnant, Nermila A. Ballmick, Jiri F. Kubac, Hossein Akhondi

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an emerging and rapidly evolving public health issue that has become globally widespread and an overwhelming pandemic. Clinical manifestations of the disease include asymptomatic carrier states, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and even multiorgan dysfunction. Here, we present a unique and rare case of an acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in an asymptomatic pregnant woman with no predisposing medical illnesses.

Discussion: An 18-year-old G2P1 African American woman at 7 weeks gestational age with no significant medical or family history presenting to the Emergency Department during the initial phases of the pandemic with complaints of new onset left …

Toward Earlier Inclusion Of Pregnant And Postpartum Women In Tuberculosis Drug Trials: Consensus Statements From An International Expert Panel., Amita Gupta, Jyoti S. Mathad, Susan M. Abdel-Rahman, Jessica D. Albano, Radu Botgros, Vikki Brown, Renee S. Browning, Liza Dawson, Kelly E. Dooley, Devasena Gnanashanmugam, Beatriz Grinsztejn, Sonia Hernandez-Diaz, Patrick Jean-Philippe, Peter Kim, Anne D. Lyerly, Mark Mirochnick, Lynne M. Mofenson, Grace Montepiedra, Jeanna Piper, Leyla Sahin, Radojka Savic, Betsy Smith, Hans Spiegel, Soumya Swaminathan, D Heather Watts, Amina White

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Tuberculosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in women of childbearing age (15-44 years). Despite increased tuberculosis risk during pregnancy, optimal clinical treatment remains unclear: safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic data for many tuberculosis drugs are lacking, and trials of promising new tuberculosis drugs exclude pregnant women. To advance inclusion of pregnant and postpartum women in tuberculosis drug trials, the US National Institutes of Health convened an international expert panel. Discussions generated consensus statements (>75% agreement among panelists) identifying high-priority research areas during pregnancy, including: (1) preventing progression of latent tuberculosis infection, especially in women coinfected with human …

Intimate Partner Violence After Disclosure Of Hiv Test Results Among Pregnant Women In Harare, Zimbabwe, Simukai Shamu, Christina Zarowsky, Tamara Shefer, Marleen Temmerman, Naeemah Abrahams

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: HIV status disclosure is a central strategy in HIV prevention and treatment but in high prevalence settings women test disproportionately and most often during pregnancy. This study reports intimate partner violence (IPV) following disclosure of HIV test results by pregnant women.

Methods: In this cross sectional study we interviewed 1951 postnatal women who tested positive and negative for HIV about IPV experiences following HIV test disclosure, using an adapted WHO questionnaire. Multivariate regression models assessed factors associated with IPV after disclosure and controlled for factors such as previous IPV and other known behavioural factors associated with IPV.

Results: Over …

Health Needs Of Hiv-Infected Women In The United States: Insights From The Women Living Positive Survey., Kathleen E Squires, Sally L Hodder, Judith Feinberg, Dawn Averitt Bridge, Staats Abrams, Stephen P Storfer, Judith A Aberg

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

The objective of this study was to describe attitudes, opinions, and perceived health needs of HIV-infected women in the United States. In this cross-sectional study, women were invited to participate in the Women Living Positive survey, a structured interview instrument with 45 questions. Collected data were deidentified and the margin of error was calculated as four percentage points. Incoming toll-free phone interviews were conducted from December 21, 2006, through March 14, 2007 among subjects recruited from a U.S. national network of AIDS counseling centers. Seven hundred HIV-infected women (43% African American, 28.5% Hispanic, 28.5% Caucasian; median age, 42.5 years) receiving …

Addressing The Fertility Needs Of Hiv-Seropositive Males, Brian A. Levine, Sahadat K. Nurudeen, Jennifer T. Gosselin, Mark V. Sauer

Psychology Faculty Publications

An increasing number of serodiscordant couples are utilizing advanced reproductive technologies to address their reproductive needs. Recent literature has demonstrated that it is not only technically possible but also safe to utilize sperm-washing techniques to allow for the creation of embryos, thereby preventing both horizontal and vertical transmission of HIV. This article addresses the strengths and weakness of various reproductive techniques and discusses our experience at Columbia University (NY, USA), the location of the largest HIV-focused fertility program in the USA.