Exacerbation of pulmonary cryptococcosis associated with enhancement of Th2 response in the postpartum period

Inflammatory pathophysiological mechanisms implicated in postpartum depression

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a serious psychiatric disorder of women within the first year after delivery. It grievously damages women's physical and mental health. Inflammatory reaction theory is well-established in depression, and also has been reported associated with PPD. This review summarized the inflammatory pathophysiological mechanisms implicated in PPD, including decreased T cell activation, increased proinflammatory cytokines secretion, active kynurenine pathway, and initiated NLRP3 inflammasome. Clinical and preclinical research are both gathered. Potential therapeutical alternatives targeting the inflammatory mechanisms of PPD were introduced. In addition, this review briefly discussed the differences of inflammatory mechanisms between PPD and depression. The research of inflammation in PPD is limited and seems just embarking, which indicates the direction we can further study. As a variety of risky factors contribute to PPD collectively, therapy for women with PPD should be comprehensive, and clinical heterogeneity should be taken into consideration. As PPD has a predictability, early clinical screening and interventions are also needed. This review aims to help readers better understand the inflammatory pathological mechanisms in PPD, so as to identify biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in the future.

Pregnancy-Related Tuberculous Meningitis and Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome: A Case Series and Systematic Review

Background

Tuberculosis is a leading cause of death among women of reproductive age. However, tuberculous meningitis, the most severe form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, is rarely discussed in pregnancy despite this being a unique period of immune modulation that may predispose women to active disease.

Methods

We identified and described cases of tuberculous meningitis among pregnant or postpartum women screened during meningitis clinical trials in Uganda from 2018 to 2022. We conducted a systematic literature review via PubMed/Medline and Embase for all English-language publications from 1970 to 10 July 2022, to identify additional cases.

Results

We identified 8 cases of pregnancy-related tuberculous meningitis in Ugandan women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and 40 additional cases via systematic literature review (none HIV-positive). Of all combined cases, 50% (24/48) were diagnosed postpartum; 50% (24/48) had initial onset during pregnancy, of which 38% (9/24) had worsening of symptoms or disease relapse following pregnancy cessation. Diagnosis was missed or delayed in 33% (16/48) of cases. For those with known outcomes, maternal mortality was 23% (11/48) and fetal/neonatal mortality was 30% (13/44). Of maternal survivors, 30% (11/37) had residual neurologic deficits.

Conclusions

The true incidence of tuberculous meningitis in pregnancy or the postpartum period is unclear but likely underappreciated. To date, nearly all published cases have occurred in HIV-negative or otherwise immunocompetent women. Given the well-described physiological immunosuppression during pregnancy and subsequent reconstitution postpartum, physicians must be aware of tuberculous meningitis and pregnancy-related immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, especially in countries with a high burden of tuberculosis and in women living with HIV.

SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine induced higher antibody affinity and IgG titers against variants of concern in post-partum vs non-post-partum women

BACKGROUND

Limited knowledge exists in post-partum women regarding durability of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-induced antibody responses and their neutralising ability against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC).

METHODS

We elucidated longitudinal mRNA vaccination-induced antibody profiles of 13 post-partum and 13 non-post-partum women (control).

FINDINGS

The antibody neutralisation titres against SARS-CoV-2 WA-1 strain were comparable between post-partum and non-post-partum women and these levels were sustained up to four months post-second vaccination in both groups. However, neutralisation titers declined against several VOCs, including Beta and Delta. Higher antibody binding was observed against SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) mutants with key VOC amino acids when tested with post-second vaccination plasma from post-partum women compared with controls. Importantly, post-vaccination plasma antibody affinity against VOCs RBDs was significantly higher in post-partum women compared with controls.

INTERPRETATION

This study demonstrates that there is a differential vaccination-induced immune responses in post-partum women compared with non-post-partum women, which could help inform future vaccination strategies for these groups.

FUNDING

The antibody characterisation work described in this manuscript was supported by FDA's Medical Countermeasures Initiative (MCMi) grant #OCET 2021-1565 to S.K and intramural FDA-CBER COVID-19 supplemental funds.