1
|
Escudero JN, Mecha J, Richardson BA, Maleche-Obimbo E, Matemo D, Kinuthia J, John-Stewart G, LaCourse SM. Impact of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Peripartum Period on Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection Detection. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:1709-1719. [PMID: 37768184 PMCID: PMC10733725 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnancy and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may influence tuberculosis infection detection using interferon (IFN)-γ release assay (QFT-Plus; Qiagen) and tuberculin skin test (TST). METHODS Participants in Western Kenya underwent QFT-Plus and TST in pregnancy, 6 weeks postpartum (6wkPP) and 12 months postpartum (12moPP). RESULTS 400 participants (200 with HIV [WHIV], 200 HIV-negative) enrolled during pregnancy (median 28 weeks' gestation [interquartile range, 24-30]). QFT-Plus positivity prevalence was higher than TST in pregnancy (32.5% vs 11.6%) and through 12moPP (6wkPP, 30.9% for QFT-Plus vs 18.0% for TST; 12moPP, 29.5% vs 17.1%; all P < .001), driven primarily by QFT-Plus-positive/TST-negative discordance among HIV-negative women. Tuberculosis infection test conversion incidence was 28.4/100 person-years (PY) and higher in WHIV than HIV-negative women (35.5 vs 20.9/100 PY; hazard ratio, 1.73 [95% confidence interval, 1.04-2.88]), mostly owing to early postpartum TST conversion among WHIV. Among QFT-Plus-positive participants in pregnancy, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-specific IFN-γ responses were dynamic through 12moPP and lower among WHIV than HIV-negative women with tuberculosis infection at all time points. CONCLUSIONS QFT-Plus had higher diagnostic yield than TST in peripartum women. Peripartum QFT-Plus positivity was stable and less influenced by HIV than TST. Mtb-specific IFN-γ responses were dynamic and lower among WHIV. Tuberculosis infection test conversion incidence was high between pregnancy and early postpartum, potentially owing to postpartum immune recovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaclyn N Escudero
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jerphason Mecha
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Barbra A Richardson
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Elizabeth Maleche-Obimbo
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Daniel Matemo
- Medical Research Department, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - John Kinuthia
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Medical Research Department, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Reproductive Health, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Grace John-Stewart
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sylvia M LaCourse
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gupta A, Singh P, Aaron L, Montepiedra G, Chipato T, Stranix-Chibanda L, Chanaiwa V, Vhembo T, Mutambanengwe M, Masheto G, Raesi M, Bradford S, Golner A, Costello D, Kulkarni V, Shayo A, Kabugho E, Jean-Phillippe P, Chakhtoura N, Sterling TR, Theron G, Weinberg A. Timing of maternal isoniazid preventive therapy on tuberculosis infection among infants exposed to HIV in low-income and middle-income settings: a secondary analysis of the TB APPRISE trial. THE LANCET. CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH 2023; 7:708-717. [PMID: 37634517 PMCID: PMC10883460 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(23)00174-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infants born to women with HIV in settings with a high tuberculosis burden are at risk of tuberculosis infection and rapid progression to active disease. Maternal isoniazid preventive therapy might mitigate this risk, but optimal timing of therapy remains unclear. The TB APPRISE trial showed that initiation of isoniazid during pregnancy resulted in more frequent adverse pregnancy outcomes than when initiated postpartum. We aimed to determine the proportion of infants testing positive for tuberculosis infection born to mothers who initiated isoniazid therapy antepartum compared with postpartum using two commonly used tests, the test agreement, and predictors of test positivity. METHODS TB APPRISE was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, non-inferiority trial done at 13 study sites across eight countries (Botswana, Haiti, India, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, and Zimbabwe). Pregnant women with HIV on antiretroviral therapy were randomly assigned to receive immediate isoniazid preventive therapy (28 weeks isoniazid [300 mg daily], then placebo until week 40 after delivery) or deferred treatment (placebo until week 12 after delivery, then isoniazid [300 mg daily] for 28 weeks). Mother-infant pairs were followed up until 48 weeks after delivery. We included all liveborn infants with a tuberculin skin test or interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) at 44 weeks. The outcomes assessed in this secondary analysis were tuberculosis test positivity by study group, test agreement, and predictors of test positivity. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01494038. FINDINGS Between Aug 19, 2014, and April 4, 2016, 956 mothers were randomly assigned, and 749 mother-child pairs were included in this secondary analysis. Of 749 infants, 694 (93%) received Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination, 675 (90%) were born to mothers who had completed isoniazid treatment, 20 (3%) were exposed to tuberculosis, seven (1%) became HIV positive, and one (<1%) developed probable tuberculosis. 43 (6%; 95% CI 4-8]) of 732 infants had a positive IGRA test result and 55 (8%; 6-10) of 727 infants had a positive tuberculin skin test result. Test positivity did not differ by study group (p=0·88 for IGRA; p=0·44 for tuberculin skin test). Test agreement was poor (κ=0·107 [95% CI 0·002-0·212]). Infant tuberculin skin test positivity was associated with breastfeeding (adjusted odds ratio 6·63 [95% CI 1·57-27·9]), BCG vaccination (4·97 [1·50-16·43]), and maternal tuberculin skin test positivity at delivery (3·28 [1·70-6·33]); IGRA positivity was associated with female sex (2·09 [1·06-4·14]). INTERPRETATION Deferral of maternal isoniazid preventive therapy to early postpartum had no effect on infant tuberculosis acquisition in our trial population, regardless of the diagnostic test used; however, tuberculosis test agreement is poor during infancy. FUNDING US National Institutes of Health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amita Gupta
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Priya Singh
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lisa Aaron
- Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Tsungai Chipato
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Clinical Trials Research Centre, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Lynda Stranix-Chibanda
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Clinical Trials Research Centre, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Vongai Chanaiwa
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Clinical Trials Research Centre, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Tichaona Vhembo
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Clinical Trials Research Centre, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Mercy Mutambanengwe
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Clinical Trials Research Centre, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Mpho Raesi
- Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | | | | | | | - Vandana Kulkarni
- Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Government College-Johns Hopkins Clinical Research Site, Pune, India
| | - Aisa Shayo
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Enid Kabugho
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Patrick Jean-Phillippe
- Division of AIDS, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nahida Chakhtoura
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Gerhard Theron
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Family Centre for Research with Ubuntu, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Adriana Weinberg
- University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yilma A, Bailey H, Karakousis PC, Karanika S. HIV/Tuberculosis Coinfection in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6302. [PMID: 37834946 PMCID: PMC10573401 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12196302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The convergence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) represents a considerable global public health challenge. The concurrent infection of HIV and TB in pregnant women not only intensifies the transmission of HIV from mother to fetus but also engenders adverse outcomes for maternal health, pregnancy, and infant well-being, necessitating the implementation of integrated strategies to effectively address and manage both diseases. In this article, we review the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, treatment, and management of HIV/TB coinfection during pregnancy, the postpartum period, and lactation and highlight the differences compared to the general population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Addis Yilma
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 212875, USA; (A.Y.); (H.B.); (P.C.K.)
| | - Hannah Bailey
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 212875, USA; (A.Y.); (H.B.); (P.C.K.)
| | - Petros C. Karakousis
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 212875, USA; (A.Y.); (H.B.); (P.C.K.)
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Styliani Karanika
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 212875, USA; (A.Y.); (H.B.); (P.C.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tuberculosis Infection in Pregnant People: Current Practices and Research Priorities. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11121481. [PMID: 36558815 PMCID: PMC9782762 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Women are significantly more likely to develop tuberculosis (TB) disease within the first 90 days after pregnancy than any other time in their lives. Whether pregnancy increases risk of progression from TB infection (TBI) to TB disease is unknown and is an active area of investigation. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology of TB and TBI in pregnancy, TBI diagnostics, and prevalence in pregnancy. We also review TBI treatment and highlight research priorities, such as short-course TB prevention regimens, drug-resistant TB prevention, and additional considerations for safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics that are unique to pregnant and postpartum people.
Collapse
|
5
|
Nogueira BMF, Krishnan S, Barreto‐Duarte B, Araújo‐Pereira M, Queiroz ATL, Ellner JJ, Salgame P, Scriba TJ, Sterling TR, Gupta A, Andrade BB. Diagnostic biomarkers for active tuberculosis: progress and challenges. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e14088. [PMID: 36314872 PMCID: PMC9728055 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202114088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality from a single infectious agent, despite being preventable and curable. Early and accurate diagnosis of active TB is critical to both enhance patient care, improve patient outcomes, and break Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) transmission cycles. In 2020 an estimated 9.9 million people fell ill from Mtb, but only a little over half (5.8 million) received an active TB diagnosis and treatment. The World Health Organization has proposed target product profiles for biomarker- or biosignature-based diagnostics using point-of-care tests from easily accessible specimens such as urine or blood. Here we review and summarize progress made in the development of pathogen- and host-based biomarkers for active TB diagnosis. We describe several unique patient populations that have posed challenges to development of a universal diagnostic TB biomarker, such as people living with HIV, extrapulmonary TB, and children. We also review additional limitations to widespread validation and utilization of published biomarkers. We conclude with proposed solutions to enhance TB diagnostic biomarker validation and uptake.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Betânia M F Nogueira
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Ciências da SaúdeUniversidade Federal da BahiaSalvadorBrazil,Instituto Couto MaiaSalvadorBrazil,Multinational Organization Network Sponsoring Translational and Epidemiological Research (MONSTER) InitiativeSalvadorBrazil
| | - Sonya Krishnan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of MedicineJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Beatriz Barreto‐Duarte
- Multinational Organization Network Sponsoring Translational and Epidemiological Research (MONSTER) InitiativeSalvadorBrazil,Curso de MedicinaUniversidade Salvador (UNIFACS)SalvadorBrazil,Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Clínica MédicaUniversidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroRio de JaneiroBrazil,Laboratório de Inflamação e Biomarcadores, Instituto Gonçalo MonizFundação Oswaldo CruzSalvadorBrazil
| | - Mariana Araújo‐Pereira
- Multinational Organization Network Sponsoring Translational and Epidemiological Research (MONSTER) InitiativeSalvadorBrazil,Laboratório de Inflamação e Biomarcadores, Instituto Gonçalo MonizFundação Oswaldo CruzSalvadorBrazil,Faculdade de MedicinaUniversidade Federal da BahiaSalvadorBrazil
| | - Artur T L Queiroz
- Instituto Couto MaiaSalvadorBrazil,Center of Data and Knowledge Integration for Health (CIDACS), Instituto Gonçalo MonizFundação Oswaldo CruzSalvadorBrazil
| | - Jerrold J Ellner
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Emerging PathogensRutgers‐New Jersey Medical SchoolNewarkNJUSA
| | - Padmini Salgame
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Emerging PathogensRutgers‐New Jersey Medical SchoolNewarkNJUSA
| | - Thomas J Scriba
- South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Division of Immunology, Department of PathologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Timothy R Sterling
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of MedicineVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Amita Gupta
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of MedicineJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Bruno B Andrade
- Multinational Organization Network Sponsoring Translational and Epidemiological Research (MONSTER) InitiativeSalvadorBrazil,Curso de MedicinaUniversidade Salvador (UNIFACS)SalvadorBrazil,Laboratório de Inflamação e Biomarcadores, Instituto Gonçalo MonizFundação Oswaldo CruzSalvadorBrazil,Faculdade de MedicinaUniversidade Federal da BahiaSalvadorBrazil,Curso de MedicinaFaculdade de Tecnologia e Ciências (FTC)SalvadorBrazil,Curso de MedicinaEscola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública (EBMSP)SalvadorBrazil
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Duarte G, Muresan P, Ward S, Laimon L, Pelton SI, Canniff J, Golner A, Bone F, Newton L, Fenton T, Coutinho CM, João EC, Santos BR, Pilotto JH, Oliveira RH, Pinto JA, Machado ES, Kreitchman R, Chakhtoura N, Mussi-Pinhata MM, Weinberg A. Immunogenicity of conjugated and polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccines administered during pregnancy or postpartum to women with HIV. J Infect Dis 2021; 225:1021-1031. [PMID: 34791324 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended in people with HIV prioritizing PCV. We compared the immunogenicity of PCV-10 and PPV-23 administered antepartum or postpartum. METHODS This double-blind study randomized 346 pregnant women with HIV on antiretrovirals to PCV-10, PPV-23, or placebo at 14-34 weeks gestational age. Women who received placebo antepartum were randomized at 24 weeks postpartum to PCV-10 or PPV-23. Antibodies against seven serotypes common to both vaccines and one serotype only in PPV-23 were measured by ELISA/chemiluminescence; B- and T-cell responses to serotype-1 by FLUOROSPOT; and plasma cytokines/chemokines by chemiluminescence. RESULTS Antibody responses were higher after postpartum versus antepartum vaccination. PCV-10 generated lower antibody levels than PPV-23 against four and higher against one of seven common serotypes. Additional factors associated with high post-vaccination antibody concentrations were high pre-vaccination antibody concentrations and CD4+ cells; low CD8+ cells and plasma HIV RNA; and several plasma cytokines/chemokines. Serotype-1 B- and T-cell memory did not increase after vaccination. CONCLUSIONS Antepartum immunization generated suboptimal antibody responses, suggesting that postpartum booster doses may be beneficial and warrant further studies. Considering that PCV-10 and PPV-23 had similar immunogenicity, but PPV-23 covered more serotypes, the use of PPV-23 may be prioritized in women with HIV on ART.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geraldo Duarte
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Shawn Ward
- Frontier Science Foundation, Brookline, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Jennifer Canniff
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Conrado M Coutinho
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Esau C João
- Hospital dos Servidores Estaduais, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Breno R Santos
- Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceicao, Porto Alegre, RGS, Brazil
| | - Jose H Pilotto
- Hospital Geral de Nova Iguaçu & Laboratório de AIDS e Imunologia Molecular - Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ricardo H Oliveira
- Instituto de Puericultura e Pediatra Matagão Gesteira, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Jorge A Pinto
- School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth S Machado
- Instituto de Puericultura e Pediatra Matagão Gesteira, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Nahida Chakhtoura
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marisa M Mussi-Pinhata
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriana Weinberg
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Longitudinal Mycobacterium tuberculosis specific interferon-γ responses in Ethiopian HIV-negative women during pregnancy and post-partum. J Clin Microbiol 2021; 59:e0086821. [PMID: 34319803 PMCID: PMC8451422 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00868-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy may influence cellular immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We investigated M. tuberculosis-specific interferon-γ responses in women followed longitudinally during pregnancy and postpartum. Interferon-γ levels (stimulated by M. tuberculosis antigens [TB1 and TB2] and mitogen included in the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus assay) were measured in blood from pregnant HIV-negative women identified from a prospective cohort at Ethiopian antenatal care clinics. Longitudinal comparisons included women without active tuberculosis (TB) with M. tuberculosis-triggered interferon-γ responses of ≥ 0.20 IU/ml, sampled on two and/or three occasions (1st/2nd trimester, 3rd trimester, and 9 months postpartum). Among 2,093 women in the source cohort, 363 met inclusion criteria for longitudinal comparisons of M. tuberculosis-stimulated interferon-γ responses. Median M. tuberculosis-triggered interferon-γ concentrations were higher at 3rd than those at the 1st/2nd trimester (in 38 women with samples available from these time points; TB1: 2.8 versus 1.6 IU/ml, P = 0.005; TB2: 3.3 versus 2.8 IU/ml, P = 0.03) and postpartum (in 49 women with samples available from these time points; TB1: 3.1 versus 2.2 IU/ml, P = 0.01; TB2: 3.1 versus 2.3 IU/ml, P = 0.03). In contrast, mitogen-stimulated interferon-γ levels were lower at 3rd than those at 1st/2nd trimester (in 32 women with samples available from these time points: 21.0 versus 34.9 IU/ml, P = 0.02). Results were similar in 22 women sampled on all 3 occasions. In HIV-negative women, M. tuberculosis-stimulated interferon-γ responses were higher during the 3rd trimester than those at earlier stages of pregnancy and postpartum, despite decreased mitogen-triggered responses. These findings suggest increased M. tuberculosis-specific cellular responses due to dynamic changes of latent TB infection during pregnancy.
Collapse
|