Alphatorquevirus is the most prevalent virus identified in blood from a matched maternal-infant preterm cohort
JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
Authors: Sloan, Patrick; Rodriguez, Cynthia; Bedell, Bruce A.; Murray, Jeffrey C.; Dagle, John M.; Ryckman, Kelli; Holtz, Lori R.
Abstract
Objective: To determine the prevalence of virus in a previously uncharacterized matched maternal-infant preterm cohort and test if viral presence or viral load correlate with histologic chorioamnionitis, spontaneous preterm labor or pre-eclampsia. Study Design: Using qRT-PCR/qPCR we tested plasma or whole blood samples from 56 matched maternal and premature infant dyads for: adenovirus, anellovirus (alphatorquevirus and betatorquevirus), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), enterovirus, human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6), parechovirus, and parvovirus B19. Result: Viral detection was more common in maternal samples 29/56 (52%) than in cord blood from their infants (4/56 (7%)) (p <= .0001). No significant difference in viral load or viral prevalence was identified between pregnancies with and without histologic chorioamnionitis, spontaneous preterm labor or pre-eclampsia. Conclusion: Despite frequent detection of virus in maternal samples, virus was less frequently detected in the infants. Additionally, there was no association of presence or quantity of virus in maternal blood with histologic chorioamnionitis, spontaneous preterm labor or pre-eclampsia in this small, but well-defined cohort. Future studies are necessary to further characterize the role of virus in placental inflammatory states and pregnancy outcomes.
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Associated With Parvovirus B19 in a Patient With Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE MEDICINE HIGH IMPACT CASE REPORTS
Authors: Macauley, Precious; Abu-Hishmeh, Mohammad; Dumancas, Carissa; Alexander-Rajan, Vijay; Piedra-Chavez, Fernando; Nada, Khaled; Habtes, Imnett; Popescu, Andrea; Mamorska-Dyga, Aleksandra
Abstract
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and life-threatening condition characterized by widespread inflammation due to massive immune activation and cytokine release. It is of 2 types, primary or familial and secondary or acquired. Diagnosis is made by fulfilling 5 of 8 criteria as determined by the Histiocyte Society. Treatment includes etoposide, dexamethasone, with or without intrathecal methotrexate in the presence of neurologic involvement as well as treating the underlying cause in secondary HLH. We present a case of a 23-year-old female with congenital human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who presents with nonspecific signs and symptoms of cough, fever, leukopenia, and anemia, and a high-serum parvovirus B19 DNA, later diagnosed with HLH and treated with etoposide and dexamethasone. She made clinical improvements and was successfully discharged to home after 26 days of admission.