Transplacental transfer of Lassa IgG antibodies in pregnant women in Southern Nigeria: A prospective hospital-based cohort study.

<h4>Background</h4>Evidence from previous studies suggest that Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic fever endemic to West Africa has high case fatalities, particularly in pregnancy. While there have been remarkable innovations in vaccine development, with some Lassa vaccines undergoing earl...

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Main Authors: Nzelle Delphine Kayem, Sylvanus Okogbenin, Joseph Okoeguale, Joseph Eigbefoh, Joseph Ikheloa, Reuben Eifediyi, Xavier Enodiana, Olugbenga Emmanuel Olorogbogo, Isoken Aikpokpo, Yemisi Ighodalo, Thomas Olokor, George Odigie, Lyndsey Castle, Sophie Duraffour, Lisa Oestereich, Prabin Dahal, Proochista Ariana, Stephan Gunther, Peter Horby
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2023-04-01
Series:PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011209
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author Nzelle Delphine Kayem
Sylvanus Okogbenin
Joseph Okoeguale
Joseph Eigbefoh
Joseph Ikheloa
Reuben Eifediyi
Xavier Enodiana
Olugbenga Emmanuel Olorogbogo
Isoken Aikpokpo
Yemisi Ighodalo
Thomas Olokor
George Odigie
Lyndsey Castle
Sophie Duraffour
Lisa Oestereich
Prabin Dahal
Proochista Ariana
Stephan Gunther
Peter Horby
author_facet Nzelle Delphine Kayem
Sylvanus Okogbenin
Joseph Okoeguale
Joseph Eigbefoh
Joseph Ikheloa
Reuben Eifediyi
Xavier Enodiana
Olugbenga Emmanuel Olorogbogo
Isoken Aikpokpo
Yemisi Ighodalo
Thomas Olokor
George Odigie
Lyndsey Castle
Sophie Duraffour
Lisa Oestereich
Prabin Dahal
Proochista Ariana
Stephan Gunther
Peter Horby
author_sort Nzelle Delphine Kayem
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4>Evidence from previous studies suggest that Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic fever endemic to West Africa has high case fatalities, particularly in pregnancy. While there have been remarkable innovations in vaccine development, with some Lassa vaccines undergoing early clinical trials. An understanding of Lassa antibody kinetics and immune responses will support vaccine design and development. However, there is currently no evidence on the antibody kinetics of Lassa (LASV) in pregnancy. Our study sought to estimate the efficiency of transplacental transfer of LASV IgG antibodies from the mother to the child.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>The study made use of data from a prospective hospital-based cohort of pregnant women enrolled at the antenatal clinic and followed up at delivery between February and December 2019. Blood samples from mother-child pairs were evaluated for antibodies against Lassa virus. The study demonstrates a transplacental transfer of LASV IgG of 75.3% [60.0-94.0%], with a significant positive correlation between maternal and cord concentrations and a good level of agreement. The study also suggests that transfer may be more variable in women with 'de novo' antibodies compared to those with pre-existing antibodies.<h4>Conclusions/significance</h4>The study shows that maternal antibody levels play an important role in determining transfer efficiency of Lassa antibodies to the new-born; and while the evidence is preliminary, the study also suggests that transfer efficiency may be less stable in acute or recent infection, as such timing of vaccination before pregnancy, that is in women of childbearing age may be more appropriate for protection of both pregnant women and their neonates.
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spelling doaj.art-54defe3329e945fd9635cd19c2c54c4e2023-05-08T05:32:38ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases1935-27271935-27352023-04-01174e001120910.1371/journal.pntd.0011209Transplacental transfer of Lassa IgG antibodies in pregnant women in Southern Nigeria: A prospective hospital-based cohort study.Nzelle Delphine KayemSylvanus OkogbeninJoseph OkoegualeJoseph EigbefohJoseph IkheloaReuben EifediyiXavier EnodianaOlugbenga Emmanuel OlorogbogoIsoken AikpokpoYemisi IghodaloThomas OlokorGeorge OdigieLyndsey CastleSophie DuraffourLisa OestereichPrabin DahalProochista ArianaStephan GuntherPeter Horby<h4>Background</h4>Evidence from previous studies suggest that Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic fever endemic to West Africa has high case fatalities, particularly in pregnancy. While there have been remarkable innovations in vaccine development, with some Lassa vaccines undergoing early clinical trials. An understanding of Lassa antibody kinetics and immune responses will support vaccine design and development. However, there is currently no evidence on the antibody kinetics of Lassa (LASV) in pregnancy. Our study sought to estimate the efficiency of transplacental transfer of LASV IgG antibodies from the mother to the child.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>The study made use of data from a prospective hospital-based cohort of pregnant women enrolled at the antenatal clinic and followed up at delivery between February and December 2019. Blood samples from mother-child pairs were evaluated for antibodies against Lassa virus. The study demonstrates a transplacental transfer of LASV IgG of 75.3% [60.0-94.0%], with a significant positive correlation between maternal and cord concentrations and a good level of agreement. The study also suggests that transfer may be more variable in women with 'de novo' antibodies compared to those with pre-existing antibodies.<h4>Conclusions/significance</h4>The study shows that maternal antibody levels play an important role in determining transfer efficiency of Lassa antibodies to the new-born; and while the evidence is preliminary, the study also suggests that transfer efficiency may be less stable in acute or recent infection, as such timing of vaccination before pregnancy, that is in women of childbearing age may be more appropriate for protection of both pregnant women and their neonates.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011209
spellingShingle Nzelle Delphine Kayem
Sylvanus Okogbenin
Joseph Okoeguale
Joseph Eigbefoh
Joseph Ikheloa
Reuben Eifediyi
Xavier Enodiana
Olugbenga Emmanuel Olorogbogo
Isoken Aikpokpo
Yemisi Ighodalo
Thomas Olokor
George Odigie
Lyndsey Castle
Sophie Duraffour
Lisa Oestereich
Prabin Dahal
Proochista Ariana
Stephan Gunther
Peter Horby
Transplacental transfer of Lassa IgG antibodies in pregnant women in Southern Nigeria: A prospective hospital-based cohort study.
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
title Transplacental transfer of Lassa IgG antibodies in pregnant women in Southern Nigeria: A prospective hospital-based cohort study.
title_full Transplacental transfer of Lassa IgG antibodies in pregnant women in Southern Nigeria: A prospective hospital-based cohort study.
title_fullStr Transplacental transfer of Lassa IgG antibodies in pregnant women in Southern Nigeria: A prospective hospital-based cohort study.
title_full_unstemmed Transplacental transfer of Lassa IgG antibodies in pregnant women in Southern Nigeria: A prospective hospital-based cohort study.
title_short Transplacental transfer of Lassa IgG antibodies in pregnant women in Southern Nigeria: A prospective hospital-based cohort study.
title_sort transplacental transfer of lassa igg antibodies in pregnant women in southern nigeria a prospective hospital based cohort study
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011209
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