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IgG Autoantibodies Induced by T. cruzi During Pregnancy: Correlation with Gravidity Complications and Early Outcome Assessment of the Newborns

Maternal and Child Health Journal volume 20, pages 2057–2064 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective The aim of the present research was to evaluate the correlation of vertically transmitted IgG antibodies induced by T. cruzi and newborn early outcome assessment, mainly birth weight and gestational age. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study with 183 pregnant women (64 with asymptomatic Chagas disease) and their newborns. Both were subjected to complete clinical examination. Peripheral parasitemia was assessed in mother and neonates by parasite detection through microscopic examination of the buffycoat from mother’s peripheral and cord blood. Antibodies induced by T. cruzi, such as anti-FRA, anti-B13, anti-p2β and anti-T. cruzi were assessed by immunoassay. Birth weight, general condition evaluation by APGAR Score and gestational age by Capurro Score, were determined in newborns. Results The rate of stillbirth background and pregnancy-induced hypertension were higher in patients with Chagas disease (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). Parasitemia was detectable in 17 mothers and 4 newborns. The newborns of mothers with detectable parasitemia presented decreased gestational age (p = 0.006) and body weight (p = 0.04). Mostly all the mothers with Chagas disease and all their newborns have positive values of antibodies induced by T. cruzi; however, only anti-p2β showed to be related to the presence of complication during pregnancy (OR 2.35, p = 0.036), and to low birth weight (OR 1.55, p = 0.02). Conclusions Low birth weight and decreased postnatal estimation of maturity were related to detectable parasitemia in the mother. Also, vertical transmission of T. cruzi-induced autoantibodies might have clinical implication in newborns given the negative association between anti-p2β values and weight.

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Acknowledgments

M.H.V L.R and M. P are research fellows of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET). I.S.M and O.B. are research career members of CONICET. This work was in part supported by the “Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) through its program of “JeunesEquipesAssociées à l´IRD”.

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    Affiliations

    1. Laboratorio de Tecnología Inmunológica, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, CC242, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina

      Miguel Hernán Vicco, Luz Rodeles, Melina Perrig & Iván Marcipar

    2. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina

      Miguel Hernán Vicco, Luz Rodeles & Gabriela Soledad Capovilla

    3. Unidad de Inmunología Parasitaria, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz, Bolivia

      Ana Gabriela Herrera Choque, Celeste Rodriguez & Washington Cuña

    4. Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario, CONICET-UNR, Rosario, Argentina

      Oscar Bottasso

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    1. Miguel Hernán Vicco
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    Miguel Hernán Vicco and Luz Rodeles have contributed equally to this study.

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    Vicco, M.H., Rodeles, L., Capovilla, G.S. et al. IgG Autoantibodies Induced by T. cruzi During Pregnancy: Correlation with Gravidity Complications and Early Outcome Assessment of the Newborns. Matern Child Health J 20, 2057–2064 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-016-2035-8

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    Keywords

    • Chagas disease
    • Antibodies
    • Anti-p2β
    • Low birth weight