Pathophysiological and molecular considerations of viral and bacterial infections during maternal-fetal and -neonatal interactions of SARS-CoV-2, Zika, and Mycoplasma infectious diseases

Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2022 1868(1):166285

Gonzalo Ferreira 1 , Fernanda Blasina 2 , Marianela Rodríguez Rey 2 , Gabriel Anesetti 3 , Rosana Sapiro 3 , Luisina Chavarría 4 , Romina Cardozo 4 , Grazzia Rey 5 , Luis Sobrevia 6 , Garth L Nicolson 7

1 Laboratory of Ion Channels, Biological Membranes and Cell Signaling, Dept. of Biophysics, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay. Electronic address: ferreira@fmed.edu.uy. 2 Dept. of Neonatology, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay. 3 Dept. of Histology and Development, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay. 4 Laboratory of Ion Channels, Biological Membranes and Cell Signaling, Dept. of Biophysics, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay. 5 Dept. of Clinical Ginecology and Obstetrics B, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay. 6 Cellular and Molecular Physiology Laboratory (CMPL), Department of Obstetrics, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville E-41012, Spain; Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil; University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR), Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia; Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713GZ Groningen, The Netherlands. 7 Department of Molecular Pathology, The Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, CA, USA.

DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166285
PMID: 34624499
Pubmed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34624499
Texto completo: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0925-4439(21)00218-0

Abstract:
During pregnancy, a series of physiological changes are determined at the molecular, cellular and macroscopic level that make the mother and fetus more susceptible to certain viral and bacterial infections, especially the infections in this and the companion review. Particular situations increase susceptibility to infection in neonates. The enhanced susceptibility to certain infections increases the risk of developing particular diseases that can progress to become morbidly severe. For example, during the current pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, epidemiological studies have established that pregnant women with COVID-19 disease are more likely to be hospitalized. However, the risk for intensive care unit admission and mechanical ventilation is not increased compared with nonpregnant women. Although much remains unknown with this particular infection, the elevated risk of progression during pregnancy towards more severe manifestations of COVID-19 disease is not associated with an increased risk of death. In addition, the epidemiological data available in neonates suggest that their risk of acquiring COVID-19 is low compared with infants (<12 months of age). However, they might be at higher risk for progression to severe COVID-19 disease compared with older children. The data on clinical presentation and disease severity among neonates are limited and based on case reports and small case series. It is well documented the importance of the Zika virus infection as the main cause of several congenital anomalies and birth defects such as microcephaly, and also adverse pregnancy outcomes. Mycoplasma infections also increase adverse pregnancy outcomes. This review will focus on the molecular, pathophysiological and biophysical characteristics of the mother/placental-fetal/neonatal interactions and the possible mechanisms of these pathogens (SARS-CoV-2, ZIKV, and Mycoplasmas) for promoting disease at this level.