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van Gemert MJC, Vlaming M, Gabaeff SC, Nikkels PGJ, Neumann HAM. Asymptomatic Infant Rib Fractures Are Primarily Non-abuse-Related and Should Not Be Used to Assess Physical Child Abuse. Children (Basel) 2023; 10:1827. [PMID: 38002918 PMCID: PMC10670409 DOI: 10.3390/children10111827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Finding infant rib fractures was for many years an almost undisputed proof that physical child abuse took place. Yet, these rib fractures are virtually always occult and asymptomatic and are only identified when looked for, usually with X-rays, from physical child abuse accusations related to, e.g., suspicion of the shaken baby syndrome. In a recent systematic literature review (searched in Cochran, Embase, PubMed and Sociological Abstracts), Güvensel questioned the diagnostic accuracy of rib fractures to be caused by abuse, due to lack of sufficient scientific evidence. Further, there is currently a world-wide disagreement between physicians considering themselves child abuse specialized, and physicians that explore non-abuse-related symptoms that may mimic physical abuse, which, it is hoped, will significantly reduce current unjustified child abuse diagnoses. In an attempt to help resolving this disagreement, we hypothesize that the probability of physical child abuse-related infant rib fractures is significantly lower than the probability of all other possible non-abuse-related causes of occult asymptomatic infant rib fractures, e.g., from birth trauma, prematurity, osteogenesis imperfecta, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, severe chronic placental pathology (e.g., massive perivillous fibrin depositions and severe chronic histiocytic intervillositis), and vitamin-D deficiency. As method, we attempted to assess the incidence of these various causes of infant rib fractures, in the Netherlands and the USA. The results are that the estimated Dutch and USA physical abuse-related infant rib fracture incidences are at least about 250 and 45 times lower than the sum of all the non-abuse-related estimates. Because these latter rib fractures are occult and asymptomatic, it is likely that (many) more could be out there. In conclusion, occult asymptomatic rib fractures develop perinatally, virtually always as birth trauma, in infants with sufficiently weak bones due to vitamin D deficiency, transmitted by their vitamin D deficient pregnant mothers. This group also includes cortical rib cracks due to deformation forces, with an estimated 186/100,000 incidence. And, despite obvious uncertainties in all estimated incidences, we provided strong evidence that our hypothesis has relevance, implying that the abundant occult asymptomatic rib fractures, when found in infants, should not be used to assess potential physical child abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin J. C. van Gemert
- Department of Biomedical Engineering & Physics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marianne Vlaming
- Private Practice, Criminal Psychology and Law, 6986 CL Angerlo, The Netherlands;
| | | | - Peter G. J. Nikkels
- Department of Pathology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands;
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Chan ES, de Koning L, Yu W, Chadha R. C4d Staining Is Present in Normal Placentas From Pregnancies Prior to Pregnancy Loss Associated With Chronic Histiocytic Intervillositis and Is Reduced by Immunomodulatory Therapy in Subsequent Pregnancies. Pediatr Dev Pathol 2023; 26:374-387. [PMID: 37232363 PMCID: PMC10559644 DOI: 10.1177/10935266231176682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic histiocytic intervillositis (CHI) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and high recurrence risk. Recent studies suggest that CHI may represent a host-vs-graft rejection, and that C4d immunostain can be used as a marker for complement activation and antibody-mediated rejection in the CHI. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective cohort study focused on 5 fetal autopsy cases associated with CHI (5 index cases) from 5 women. We analyzed placentas from the index cases (fetal autopsy cases associated with CHI) and placentas from the women's previous and subsequent pregnancies. We assessed the presence and extent of CHI and C4d immunostaining in these placentas. We evaluated each available placenta and graded the severity of CHI as either <50% or ≥50%. Additionally, we conducted C4d immunostaining on one representative section from each placenta and graded the staining levels as follows: 0+ for staining <5%; 1+ for staining between 5% and <25%; 2+ for staining between 25% and <75%; and 3+ for staining ≥75%. RESULTS Three of the 5 women had pregnancies prior to their index cases (fetal autopsy cases associated with CHI). Despite the absence of CHI in their initial pregnancies, the placentas displayed positive C4d staining with grades of 1+, 3+, and 3+, respectively. These results suggest the presence of complement activation and antibody-mediated rejection in placentas from their prior pregnancies without CHI. Three of the 5 women received immunomodulatory therapy after experiencing pregnancy losses associated with CHI. After treatment, 2 of these women had live births at 35 and 37 gestational weeks, respectively, while the third had a stillbirth at 25 gestational weeks. The severity of CHI and the degree of C4d staining in the placentas decreased in all 3 cases following immunomodulatory therapies. Specifically, the level of C4d staining decreased from 3+ to 2+, 2+ to 0+, and 3+ to 1+ in these 3 cases, respectively. DISCUSSION In women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss associated with CHI, C4d immunostaining was present in the placentas from their previous non-CHI pregnancies, suggesting activation of the classical complement pathway and antibody-mediated reaction in their prior non-CHI pregnancies before the development of CHI in subsequent pregnancies. Immunomodulatory therapy may improve pregnancy outcomes by reducing complement activation, as shown by the reduction of C4d immunopositivity in the placentas after immunomodulatory treatment. Although we believe that the study provides valuable insights, we acknowledge that there are limitations to the findings. Therefore, to further elucidate the pathogenesis of CHI, additional research efforts with a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine S. Chan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Lawrence de Koning
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Weiming Yu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Rati Chadha
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Redline RW, Roberts DJ, Parast MM, Ernst LM, Morgan TK, Greene MF, Gyamfi-Bannerman C, Louis JM, Maltepe E, Mestan KK, Romero R, Stone J. Placental pathology is necessary to understand common pregnancy complications and achieve an improved taxonomy of obstetrical disease. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023; 228:187-202. [PMID: 35973475 PMCID: PMC10337668 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The importance of a fully functioning placenta for a good pregnancy outcome is unquestioned. Loss of function can lead to pregnancy complications and is often detected by a thorough placental pathologic examination. Placental pathology has advanced the science and practice of obstetrics and neonatal-perinatal medicine by classifying diseases according to underlying biology and specific patterns of injury. Many past obstacles have limited the incorporation of placental findings into both clinical studies and day-to-day practice. Limitations have included variability in the nomenclature used to describe placental lesions, a shortage of perinatal pathologists fully competent to analyze placental specimens, and a troubling lack of understanding of placental diagnoses by clinicians. However, the potential use of placental pathology for phenotypic classification, improved understanding of the biology of adverse pregnancy outcomes, the development of treatment and prevention, and patient counseling has never been greater. This review, written partly in response to a recent critique published in a major obstetrics-gynecology journal, reexamines the role of placental pathology by reviewing current concepts of biology; explaining the most recent terminology; emphasizing the usefulness of specific diagnoses for obstetrician-gynecologists, neonatologists, and patients; previewing upcoming changes in recommendations for placental submission; and suggesting future improvements. These improvements should include further consideration of overall healthcare costs, cost-effectiveness, the clinical value added of placental assessment, improvements in placental pathology education and practice, and leveraging of placental pathology to identify new biomarkers of disease and evaluate novel therapies tailored to specific clinicopathologic phenotypes of both women and infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond W Redline
- Department of Pathology and Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Cleveland, OH.
| | - Drucilla J Roberts
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Mana M Parast
- Department of Pathology, Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Linda M Ernst
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL
| | - Terry K Morgan
- Department of Pathology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Developmental Health, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR
| | - Michael F Greene
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Judette M Louis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Morsani College of Medicine, University South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Emin Maltepe
- Department of Pediatrics, University California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Karen K Mestan
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine and Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, Detroit, MI; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI; Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI; Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI
| | - Joanne Stone
- Raquel and Jaime Gilinski Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
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Zaigham M, Gisselsson D, Sand A, Wikström AK, von Wowern E, Schwartz DA, Iorizzo L, Nelander M, Blomberg M, Papadogiannakis N, Holmström S, Leijonhfvud Å, Sengpiel V. Clinical-pathological features in placentas of pregnancies with SARS-CoV-2 infection and adverse outcome: case series with and without congenital transmission. BJOG 2022; 129:1361-1374. [PMID: 35243759 PMCID: PMC9111112 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Objective To correlate clinical outcomes to pathology in SARS‐CoV‐2 infected placentas in stillborn and live‐born infants presenting with fetal distress. Design Retrospective, observational. Setting Nationwide. Population Five stillborn and nine live‐born infants from 13 pregnant women infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 seeking care at seven different maternity units in Sweden. Methods Clinical outcomes and placental pathology were studied in 14 cases (one twin pregnancy) of maternal SARS‐CoV‐2 infection with impaired fetal outcome. Outcomes were correlated to placental pathology in order to investigate the impact of virus‐related pathology on the villous capillary endothelium, trophoblast and other cells. Main outcome measures Maternal and fetal clinical outcomes and placental pathology in stillborn and live‐born infants. Results Reduced fetal movements were reported (77%) and time from onset of maternal COVID‐19 symptoms to signs of fetal distress among live‐born infants was 6 (3–12) days and to diagnosis of stillbirth 11 (2–25) days. Two of the live‐born infants died during the postnatal period. Signs of fetal distress led to emergency caesarean section in all live‐born infants with umbilical cord blood gases and low Apgar scores confirming intrauterine hypoxia. Five stillborn and one live‐born neonate had confirmed congenital transmission. Massive perivillous fibrinoid deposition, intervillositis and trophoblast necrosis were associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 placental infection and congenital transmission. Conclusions SARS‐CoV‐2 can cause rapid placental dysfunction with subsequent acute fetal hypoxia leading to intrauterine fetal compromise. Associated placental pathology included massive perivillous fibrinoid deposition, intervillositis and trophoblast degeneration. SARS‐CoV‐2 can cause rapid placental dysfunction and intrauterine fetal compromise. Linked article: This article is commented on by Yves Ville, pp. 1375 in this issue. To view this minicommentary visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17162. This article includes Author Insights, a video abstract available at: https://vimeo.com/bjogabstracts/authorinsights17132
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehreen Zaigham
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Institution of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - David Gisselsson
- Clinical Genetics and Pathology, Laboratory Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.,Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anna Sand
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna-Karin Wikström
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emma von Wowern
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.,Perinatal and Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Institution of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - David A Schwartz
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Linda Iorizzo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Helsingborg Hospital, Department of Clinical Science Helsingborg, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Maria Nelander
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marie Blomberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Nikos Papadogiannakis
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute and Department of Pathology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sandra Holmström
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Halland Hospital, Varberg, Sweden
| | - Åsa Leijonhfvud
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Helsingborg Hospital, Department of Clinical Science Helsingborg, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Verena Sengpiel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Agrawal S, Parks WT, Zeng HD, Ravichandran A, Ashwal E, Windrim RC, Hobson SR, Melamed N, Kingdom JC. Diagnostic Utility of Serial Circulating Placenta Growth Factor Levels and Uterine Artery Doppler Waveforms to Diagnose Underlying Placental Diseases in Pregnancies at High-Risk of Placental Dysfunction. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022:S0002-9378(22)00394-5. [PMID: 35644246 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.05.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Placental pathology assessment following delivery in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, abruption, and stillbirth reveals a range of underlying diseases. The most common pathology is maternal vascular malperfusion, characterized by high-resistance uterine artery Doppler waveforms and abnormal expression of circulating maternal angiogenic growth factors. Rare placental diseases (massive perivillous fibrinoid deposition and chronic histiocytic intervillositis) are reported to have high recurrence risks, but their associations with uterine artery Doppler waveforms and angiogenic growth factors are presently ill-defined. OBJECTIVE To characterize the patterns of serial placental growth factor measurements and uterine artery Doppler waveform assessments in pregnancies that develop specific types of placental pathology to gain insight into their relationships with the timing of disease onset and pregnancy outcomes. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective cohort study conducted between January 2017 and November 2021 included all singleton pregnancies with at least 1 measurement of maternal circulating placental growth factor between 16 and 36 weeks' gestation, delivery at our institution, and placental pathology analysis demonstrating diagnostic features of maternal vascular malperfusion, fetal vascular malperfusion, villitis of unknown etiology, chronic histiocytic intervillositis, or massive perivillous fibrinoid deposition. Profiles of circulating placental growth factor as gestational age advanced were compared between these placental pathologies. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were recorded. RESULTS A total of 337 pregnancies from 329 individuals met our inclusion criteria. These comprised placental pathology diagnoses of maternal vascular malperfusion (n=109), fetal vascular malperfusion (n=87), villitis of unknown etiology (n=96), chronic histiocytic intervillositis (n=16), and massive perivillous fibrinoid deposition (n=29). Among patients who developed maternal vascular malperfusion, placental growth factor levels gradually declined as pregnancy progressed (placental growth factor <10th percentile at 16-20 weeks' gestation in 42.9%; 20-24 weeks in 61.9%; 24-28 weeks in 77%; and 28-32 weeks in 81.4%) accompanied by mean uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index >95th percentile in 71.6% cases. Patients who developed either fetal vascular malperfusion or villitis of unknown etiology mostly exhibited normal circulating placental growth factor values in association with normal uterine artery Doppler waveforms (mean [standard deviation] pulsatility index values: fetal vascular malperfusion, 1.14 [0.49]; villitis of unknown etiology, 1.13 [0.45]). Patients who developed either chronic histiocytic intervillositis or massive perivillous fibrinoid deposition exhibited persistently low placental growth factor levels from the early second trimester (placental growth factor <10th centile at 16-20 weeks' gestation in 80% and 77.8%, respectively; 20-24 weeks in 88.9% and 63.6%; 24-28 weeks in 85.7% and 75%), all in combination with normal uterine artery Doppler waveforms (mean pulsatility index >95th centile: chronic histiocytic intervillositis, 25%; massive perivillous fibrinoid deposition, 37.9%). Preeclampsia developed in 83 of 337 (24.6%) patients and was most common in those developing maternal vascular malperfusion (54/109, 49.5%) followed by chronic histiocytic intervillositis (7/16, 43.8%). There were 29 stillbirths in the cohort (maternal vascular malperfusion, n=10 [9.2%]; fetal vascular malperfusion, n=5 [5.7%]; villitis of unknown etiology, n=1 [1.0%]; chronic histiocytic intervillositis, n=7 [43.8%]; massive perivillous fibrinoid deposition, n=6 [20.7%]). Most patients experiencing stillbirth exhibited normal uterine artery Doppler waveforms (21/29, 72.4%) and had nonmaternal vascular malperfusion pathologies (19/29, 65.5%). By contrast, 28 of 29 (96.5%) patients experiencing stillbirth had ≥1 low placental growth factor values before fetal death. CONCLUSION Serial circulating maternal placental growth factor tests, in combination with uterine artery Doppler waveform assessments in the second trimester, may indicate the likely underlying type of placental pathology mediating severe adverse perinatal events. This approach has the potential to test disease-specific therapeutic strategies to improve clinical outcomes. Serial placental growth factor testing, compared with uterine artery Doppler studies, identifies a greater proportion of patients destined to have a poor perinatal outcome because diseases other than maternal vascular malperfusion are characterized by normal uteroplacental circulation.
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Cornish EF, McDonnell T, Williams DJ. Chronic Inflammatory Placental Disorders Associated With Recurrent Adverse Pregnancy Outcome. Front Immunol 2022; 13:825075. [PMID: 35529853 PMCID: PMC9072631 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.825075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammatory placental disorders are a group of rare but devastating gestational syndromes associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. This review focuses on three related conditions: villitis of unknown etiology (VUE), chronic histiocytic intervillositis (CHI) and massive perivillous fibrin deposition (MPFD). The hallmark of these disorders is infiltration of the placental architecture by maternal immune cells and disruption of the intervillous space, where gas exchange between the mother and fetus occurs. Currently, they can only be detected through histopathological examination of the placenta after a pregnancy has ended. All three are associated with a significant risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies. Villitis of unknown etiology is characterised by a destructive infiltrate of maternal CD8+ T lymphocytes invading into the chorionic villi, combined with activation of fetal villous macrophages. The diagnosis can only be made when an infectious aetiology has been excluded. VUE becomes more common as pregnancy progresses and is frequently seen with normal pregnancy outcome. However, severe early-onset villitis is usually associated with fetal growth restriction and recurrent pregnancy loss. Chronic histiocytic intervillositis is characterised by excessive accumulation of maternal CD68+ histiocytes in the intervillous space. It is associated with a wide spectrum of adverse pregnancy outcomes including high rates of first-trimester miscarriage, severe fetal growth restriction and late intrauterine fetal death. Intervillous histiocytes can also accumulate due to infection, including SARS-CoV-2, although this infection-induced intervillositis does not appear to recur. As with VUE, the diagnosis of CHI requires exclusion of an infectious cause. Women with recurrent CHI and their families are predisposed to autoimmune diseases, suggesting CHI may have an alloimmune pathology. This observation has driven attempts to prevent CHI with a wide range of maternal immunosuppression. Massive perivillous fibrin deposition is diagnosed when >25% of the intervillous space is occupied by fibrin, and is associated with fetal growth restriction and late intrauterine fetal death. Although not an inflammatory disorder per se, MPFD is frequently seen in association with both VUE and CHI. This review summarises current understanding of the prevalence, diagnostic features, clinical consequences, immune pathology and potential prophylaxis against recurrence in these three chronic inflammatory placental syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily F. Cornish
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women’s Health, Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Emily F. Cornish,
| | - Thomas McDonnell
- Faculty of Engineering Science, Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Williams
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women’s Health, Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Schwartz DA. Stillbirth after COVID-19 in Unvaccinated Mothers Can Result from SARS-CoV-2 Placentitis, Placental Insufficiency, and Hypoxic Ischemic Fetal Demise, Not Direct Fetal Infection: Potential Role of Maternal Vaccination in Pregnancy. Viruses 2022; 14:458. [PMID: 35336864 DOI: 10.3390/v14030458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Stillbirth is a recently recognized complication of COVID-19 in pregnant women. Other congenitally transmitted infections from viruses, bacteria and parasites can cause stillbirth by infecting fetal organs following transplacental transmission of the agent from the maternal bloodstream. However, recent research on pregnant women with COVID-19 having stillbirths indicates that there is another mechanism of stillbirth that can occur in placentas infected with SARS-CoV-2. In these cases, viral infection of the placenta results in SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, a combination of concurrent destructive findings that include increased fibrin deposition which typically reaches the level of massive perivillous fibrin deposition, chronic histiocytic intervillositis and trophoblast necrosis. These three pathological lesions, in some cases together with placental hemorrhage, thrombohematomas and villitis, result in severe and diffuse placental parenchymal destruction. This pathology can involve greater than one-half of the placental volume, averaging 77% in the largest study of 68 cases, effectively rendering the placenta incapable of performing its function of oxygenating the fetus. This destructive placental process can lead to stillbirth and neonatal death via malperfusion and placental insufficiency which is independent of fetal infection. Fetal autopsies show no evidence that direct infection of fetal organs is contributory. Because all mothers examined have been unvaccinated, maternal vaccination may prevent viremia and consequent placental infection.
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Hantoushzadeh S, Saleh M, Aghajanian S, Nouri B. The Missing Role of Prenatal Diagnosis of Chronic Histiocytic Intervillositis in the Management of Growth Restricted Fetuses. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:809315. [PMID: 35186976 PMCID: PMC8847381 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.809315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sedigheh Hantoushzadeh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Neonatal Research Center, Valiasr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maasoumeh Saleh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepehr Aghajanian
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Behnaz Nouri
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
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Bouariu A, Gică N, Ciobanu AM, Scutelnicu AM, Popescu MR, Panaitescu AM. The Potential Benefit of Hydroxychloroquine in Chronic Placental Inflammation of Unknown Etiology Associated with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:168. [PMID: 35052331 PMCID: PMC8775717 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10010168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is the site of connection between maternal and fetal circulation, and the liaison is established early in pregnancy. A large variety of pregnancy complications such as preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, or pregnancy loss have placental expression and can be accompanied in some cases of acute or chronic identifiable placental inflamatory lesions. Chronic placental inflammatory (CPI) lesions include chronic villitis of unknow etiology (CVUE), chronic intervillositis of unknown etiology, CIUE (also described as chronic histiocytic intervillositis, CHI), and chronic deciduits. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been prescribed with good results during pregnancy to prevent adverse perinatal outcomes in maternal autoimmune conditions. Its success has paved the way to its use in CPI as CIUE/CHI; however, to date, there are no prospective, informatively designed, controlled studies on its value in these setting. This review aims to explore the potential role of HCQ in CPI of unknown etiology. Ideally, properly designed, probably multicentric studies should be undertaken to fully understand HCQ's role for prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes after a chronic placental inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Bouariu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Filantropia, Clinical Hospital Bucharest, 011171 Bucharest, Romania; (A.B.); (N.G.); (A.M.C.); (A.M.S.)
| | - Nicolae Gică
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Filantropia, Clinical Hospital Bucharest, 011171 Bucharest, Romania; (A.B.); (N.G.); (A.M.C.); (A.M.S.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anca Marina Ciobanu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Filantropia, Clinical Hospital Bucharest, 011171 Bucharest, Romania; (A.B.); (N.G.); (A.M.C.); (A.M.S.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ana Maria Scutelnicu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Filantropia, Clinical Hospital Bucharest, 011171 Bucharest, Romania; (A.B.); (N.G.); (A.M.C.); (A.M.S.)
| | - Mihaela Roxana Popescu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Filantropia, Clinical Hospital Bucharest, 011171 Bucharest, Romania; (A.B.); (N.G.); (A.M.C.); (A.M.S.)
- Department of Cardiology, Elias University Hospital Bucharest, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anca Maria Panaitescu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Filantropia, Clinical Hospital Bucharest, 011171 Bucharest, Romania; (A.B.); (N.G.); (A.M.C.); (A.M.S.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
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10
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Benachi A, Rabant M, Martinovic J, Bouchghoul H, Vivanti AJ, Leon J, Grunenwald A, Roumenina L, Celton JL, Bessieres B, Taupin JL, Zuber J. Chronic histiocytic intervillositis: manifestation of placental alloantibody-mediated rejection. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2021; 225:662.e1-662.e11. [PMID: 34126086 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.06.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic histiocytic intervillositis (chronic intervillositis) is defined by a diffuse infiltration of monocytes into the intervillous space, which often leads to poor obstetrical outcomes, including recurrent intrauterine growth restriction, miscarriage, and fetal death. The pathogenesis of chronic intervillositis is still poorly defined, and there is an unmet medical need for improved management. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to demonstrate the role of anti-human leukocyte antigen alloantibodies in the pathogenesis of chronic intervillositis through the application of criteria used in solid-organ transplantation for the diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection. STUDY DESIGN A multidisciplinary research study based on thorough immunologic and pathologic investigations was carried out for 2 separate couples who experienced recurrent secondary fetal losses following a first normal pregnancy associated with histologic evidence of chronic intervillositis. RESULTS Very high levels of complement-fixing, fetus-specific antibodies targeting mismatched human leukocyte antigen alleles, harbored by the 2 paternal haplotypes, were identified in both cases. Polymorphic human leukocyte antigens were expressed on the surface of trophoblastic villi of the inflamed placenta but not in healthy placental tissue. The binding of alloantibodies to paternal human leukocyte antigens induced dramatic activation of the complement classical pathway in trophoblastic villi, leading to C4d deposition and formation of the terminal complex C5b-9. All requirements for the diagnosis of antibody-mediated placental rejection were fulfilled according to the criteria used in the Banff classification of allograft pathology. In silico analysis was performed using a human leukocyte antigen epitope viewer to reconstitute the human leukocyte antigen sensitization history. Reactivity against a single mismatched epitope present in the first-born healthy child accounted for a broad sensitization to human leukocyte antigens, including those harbored by the 2 paternal haplotypes. This finding explained the high rates of chronic intervillositis recurrence during subsequent pregnancies. CONCLUSION This study provides novel mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of chronic intervillositis and provides new avenues for individualized counseling and therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Benachi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hôpital Antoine-Béclère, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Clamart, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Marion Rabant
- Département d'Anatomopathologie, Hôpital Necker, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France; University of Paris, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 1151, Paris, France
| | - Jelena Martinovic
- Département de Foetopathologie, Hôpital Antoine-Béclère, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Clamart, France
| | - Hanane Bouchghoul
- Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Département d'Obstétrique et Gynécologie, Hôpital Kremlin-Bicêtre, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Alexandre J Vivanti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hôpital Antoine-Béclère, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Clamart, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Juliette Leon
- Département d'Anatomopathologie, Hôpital Necker, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France; University of Paris, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Anne Grunenwald
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne University, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Lubka Roumenina
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne University, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Louis Celton
- Laboratoire d'Histocompatibilité, Hôpital de Nouméa, Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | - Bettina Bessieres
- Département d'Anatomopathologie, Hôpital Necker, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Luc Taupin
- Laboratoire d'Immunologie et Histocompatibilité, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France; Université de Paris, INSERM UMR 976, Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Paris, France
| | - Julien Zuber
- University of Paris, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France; Département de Néphrologie et Transplantation Rénale, Hôpital Necker, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France.
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11
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Moresi S, Dell'Aquila M, Salvi S, Rullo R, Fruci S, Stollagli F, Arena V, Lanzone A. SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Pregnancy: Clinical Signs, Placental Pathology, and Neonatal Outcome-Implications for Clinical Care. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:676870. [PMID: 34820390 PMCID: PMC8606406 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.676870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The current COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with high rates of mortality and significant morbidity. Both the risk of infection for pregnant women and the risk of vertical transmission have been evaluated, and the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been demonstrated both in the placenta and in the amniochorionic membranes. However, the actual effects of this pathogen on pregnancy and on placental morphology are still unclear. Objective: To describe histopathologic findings in the placentas of women with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and their correlation with clinical signs and perinatal outcome. Methods: Placental tissues from pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection delivering between March 2020 and February 2021 were analyzed. Results: One hundred six placentas from women with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy who delivered in Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli were examined. Most of them were asymptomatic. All neonates had available test results for SARS-CoV-2 and only one resulted positive. Placental tissues mainly showed signs of maternal vascular malperfusion and of placenta injury in terms of syncytial node increase (96.2%), villar agglutination (77.3%), neointimal hyperplasia (76.4%), excessive fibrin deposition (43.3%), and chorangiosis (35.8%). No significant differences in the frequency of the histopathological lesions were observed according to maternal symptoms. Conclusion: Looking to placental tissues from SARS-CoV-2 positive women at the screening performed close to delivery, placental injuries could be detected without any correlation with fetal and neonatal outcomes. We hypothesize that short latency between SARS-CoV-2 infection and delivery is the main reason for these observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sascia Moresi
- UOC di Ostetricia e Patologia Ostetrica, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute della Donna e del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Dell'Aquila
- UO Gineco-patologia e Patologia Mammaria, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute della Donna e del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Salvi
- UOC di Ostetricia e Patologia Ostetrica, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute della Donna e del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Rullo
- UOC di Ostetricia e Patologia Ostetrica, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute della Donna e del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Istituto di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Fruci
- UOC di Ostetricia e Patologia Ostetrica, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute della Donna e del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Istituto di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Stollagli
- UOC di Ostetricia e Patologia Ostetrica, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute della Donna e del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arena
- UO Gineco-patologia e Patologia Mammaria, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute della Donna e del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Lanzone
- UOC di Ostetricia e Patologia Ostetrica, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute della Donna e del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Istituto di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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12
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Abstract
Placental inflammatory lesions are important findings that lead fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, and can be divided into two broad subcategories, acute inflammation caused by microorganisms and chronic inflammation caused by host immune responses. Recently, a diagnostic framework for these lesions has been established, and uniform diagnostic criteria have been recommended by the Amsterdam International Consensus Group. Chorioamnionitis is representative of the acute inflammatory lesion, and is the most frequent pathological diagnosis in placental pathology. The hallmark of chorioamnionitis is neutrophil infiltration in the membrane/chorioamnionic plate and fetal vessels. The inflammatory response can be both maternal (inflammation in the membrane or chorioamnionic plate) and fetal (inflammation in the fetal vessels-umbilical vessels or chorionic vessel). Recent studies have shown that the fetal inflammatory response is associated with neonatal mortality and morbidity. Furthermore, chronic inflammatory lesions, such as villitis of unknown etiology and chronic histiocytic intervillositis, are also important. Although their etiology remains unknown, the maternal immune response against paternal antigens has been considered a possible factor. These inflammatory lesions are associated with fetal demise and fetal growth restriction. Inflammatory lesions in the placenta are useful for understanding intrauterine conditions, guiding treatment, and predicting complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichiro Sato
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Miyazaki University Hospital, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
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13
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Schwartz DA, Bugatti M, Santoro A, Facchetti F. Molecular Pathology Demonstration of SARS-CoV-2 in Cytotrophoblast from Placental Tissue with Chronic Histiocytic Intervillositis, Trophoblast Necrosis and COVID-19. J Dev Biol 2021; 9:jdb9030033. [PMID: 34449643 PMCID: PMC8395857 DOI: 10.3390/jdb9030033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A subset of placentas from pregnant women having the SARS-CoV-2 infection have been found to be infected with the coronavirus using molecular pathology methods including immunohistochemistry and RNA in situ hybridization. These infected placentas can demonstrate several unusual findings which occur together—chronic histiocytic intervillositis, trophoblast necrosis and positive staining of the syncytiotrophoblast for SARS-CoV-2. They frequently also have increased fibrin deposition, which can be massive in some cases. Syncytiotrophoblast is the most frequent fetal-derived cell type to be positive for SARS-CoV-2. It has recently been shown that in a small number of infected placentas, villous stromal macrophages, termed Hofbauer cells, and villous capillary endothelial cells can also stain positive for SARS-CoV-2. This report describes a placenta from a pregnant woman with SARS-CoV-2 that had chronic histiocytic intervillositis, trophoblast necrosis, increased fibrin deposition and positive staining of the syncytiotrophoblast for SARS-CoV-2. In addition, molecular pathology testing including RNAscope and immunohistochemistry for SARS-CoV-2 and double-staining immunohistochemistry using antibodies to E-cadherin and GATA3 revealed that cytotrophoblast cells stained intensely for SARS-CoV-2. All of the cytotrophoblast cells that demonstrated positive staining for SARS-CoV-2 were in direct physical contact with overlying syncytiotrophoblast that also stained positive for the virus. The pattern of cytotrophoblast staining for SARS-CoV-2 was patchy, and there were chorionic villi having diffuse positive staining of the syncytiotrophoblast for SARS-CoV-2, but without staining of cytotrophoblast. This first detailed description of cytotrophoblast involvement by SARS-CoV-2 adds another fetal cell type from infected placentas that demonstrate viral staining.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Schwartz
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Mattia Bugatti
- Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.B.); (A.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Amerigo Santoro
- Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.B.); (A.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Fabio Facchetti
- Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.B.); (A.S.); (F.F.)
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14
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Schwartz DA, Morotti D. Placental Pathology of COVID-19 with and without Fetal and Neonatal Infection: Trophoblast Necrosis and Chronic Histiocytic Intervillositis as Risk Factors for Transplacental Transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Viruses 2020; 12:v12111308. [PMID: 33203131 PMCID: PMC7697563 DOI: 10.3390/v12111308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanism(s) by which neonates testing positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) acquire their infection has been largely unknown. Transmission of the etiological agent, SARS-CoV-2, from mother to infant has been suspected but has been difficult to confirm. This communication summarizes the spectrum of pathology findings from pregnant women with COVID-19 based upon the infection status of their infants and addresses the potential interpretation of these results in terms of the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the placenta and the pathophysiology of maternal-fetal infection. Placentas from pregnant women with COVID-19 and uninfected neonates show significant variability in the spectrum of pathology findings. In contrast, placentas from infected maternal-neonatal dyads are characterized by the finding of mononuclear cell inflammation of the intervillous space, termed chronic histiocytic intervillositis, together with syncytiotrophoblast necrosis. These placentas show prominent positivity of syncytiotrophoblast by SARS-CoV-2, fulfilling the published criteria for transplacental viral transmission as confirmed in fetal cells through identification of viral antigens by immunohistochemistry or viral nucleic acid using RNA in situ hybridization. The co-occurrence of chronic histiocytic intervillositis and trophoblast necrosis appears to be a risk factor for placental infection with SARS-CoV-2 as well as for maternal-fetal viral transmission, and suggests a potential mechanism by which the coronavirus can breach the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Schwartz
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Denise Morotti
- Pathology Unit and Medical Genetics Laboratory, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, 24127 Bergamo, Italy;
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15
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Abstract
Two primary patterns of placental calcification have been described, each with distinctive pathophysiology and clinical relevance. We report a novel pattern of diffuse subamniotic calcification. It occurred in a 25-week placenta involved by recurrent chronic histiocytic intervillositis (CHI) associated with severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD). This was the mother's third stillbirth related to CHI, despite treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), prednisone, low-molecular-weight heparin, and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). On placental examination, the majority of the fetal surface was calcified. This variably formed a continuous band or dispersed calcium microparticles. Electron microscopy demonstrated associated electron dense deposits highly suggestive of immune complex deposition. CHI explains recurrent IUGR and stillbirth, but has not been associated with calcification or immune complex deposition. We hypothesize IVIG therapy may have caused immune complex deposition and subsequent dystrophic calcification, supported by its rare association with immune complex deposition disorders in the kidney. Identification of additional cases with this pattern of calcification, with additional studies on fresh tissue including immunofluorescence, electron microscopy and mass spectrometry, may aid in elucidating the underlying pathophysiology and clinical significance of this unusual lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik W Nohr
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Alberta Precision Laboratories, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - James R Wright
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Alberta Precision Laboratories, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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16
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Ozawa N, Yamaguchi K, Shibata M, Sugibayashi R, Yagi H, Sago H, Matsuoka K. Chronic histiocytic intervillositis in three consecutive pregnancies in a single patient: Differing clinical results and pathology according to treatment used. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2017; 43:1504-1508. [PMID: 28691359 DOI: 10.1111/jog.13404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Chronic histiocytic intervillositis (CHI) is an extremely rare pathological condition but is strongly associated with severe obstetric complications and has a high recurrence rate. The management of this condition has not yet been established. We describe herein the occurrence of CHI in the late second-third trimester in each of three consecutive pregnancies in a single patient with four previous consecutive early miscarriages. In this patient, each of the three complicated pregnancies was managed with one of the following, respectively: low-dose aspirin; heparin plus low-dose aspirin; and prednisolone plus low-dose aspirin. CHI was histologically confirmed in all three pregnancies, but the clinical results and pathology (e.g. extent of histiocytic infiltration) in each pregnancy clearly differed with treatment. Both combination treatments eventuated in a live birth. Immunosuppressive therapy seemed to produce better clinical results by restricting the extent of the affected areas. The elevated alkaline phosphatase associated with the CHI was assumed to have no clinical prognostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuaki Ozawa
- Center of Maternal-Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koushi Yamaguchi
- Center of Maternal-Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Megumi Shibata
- Center of Maternal-Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rika Sugibayashi
- Center of Maternal-Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroya Yagi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Sago
- Center of Maternal-Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Matsuoka
- Department of Pathology, Dokkyo Medical University, Koshigaya Hospital, Saitama, Japan
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17
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Clark DA, Dmetrichuk JM, McCready E, Dhesy-Thind S, Arredondo JL. Changes in expression of the CD200 tolerance-signaling molecule and its receptor (CD200R) by villus trophoblasts during first trimester missed abortion and in chronic histiocytic intervillositis. Am J Reprod Immunol 2017; 78. [PMID: 28326648 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Expression of CD200 at the feto-maternal interface is associated with successful murine and human pregnancy. CD200 binding to CD200 receptors on lymphomyeloid cells suppresses inflammation and induces Tregs. CD200 receptors are also expressed on mouse and human placental trophoblast cells. What is the expression of CD200 and CD200R in human missed abortions which have preserved Treg levels and in chronic histiocytic intervillositis (CHI) where maternal inflammatory cells cause IUGR? METHODS Immunohistiochemistry for CD200, CD200R, and Ki67 using human placental sections from missed abortions, term placenta, and CHI. PCR testing was done for trisomy in missed abortion. RESULTS CD200 and CD200R were expressed by human villus trophoblasts from 2 weeks post-implantation to term. Cytotrophoblast proliferation (Ki-67+ count) decreased at term. In first trimester missed abortion cases, CD200>CD200R villus trophoblasts accompanied missed abortion of non-trisomic male fetuses. CD200 and Ki67+ trophoblast proliferation was preserved in CHI with maternal inflammatory cell infiltration but CD200R was greatly decreased. CONCLUSION Residual CD200 activity may prevent completion of abortions via induction of Treg cells. In CHI, infiltrating maternal effector T cells may block Treg induction. An autocrine role for CD200-CD200R interaction versus inhibition of soluble CD200 by soluble CD200R is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Clark
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer M Dmetrichuk
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth McCready
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Genetics Services, Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Jorge L Arredondo
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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18
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Abstract
Chronic histiocytic intervillositis of the placenta (CHI) shows monocytic/histiocytic infiltration of the intervillous space. Placental malaria has a CHI-like histopathology and induces an aberrant expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR) 3, 7-9. We hypothesized that, similar to placental malaria, CHI could be associated with increased TLR expression. TLR1-10 and other inflammation-associated factors were analyzed by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. A total of 31 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded placenta samples were evaluated: CHI (n = 9), and for control purposes, villitis of unknown etiology (VUE, n = 8) and placentas without inflammation (n = 14). CHI shows increased expression of monocytic TLR1, a receptor which is involved in bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. This could indicate a TLR1-mediated immune mechanism in the placenta (e.g. triggered by transient, clinically inapparent maternal bacteraemia) which leads to massive monocytic/histiocytic accumulation in the intervillous space. The increased expression of TLR1 with no increased expression of TLR3 and TLR7-9 is different from that in malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kais Hussein
- a Institute of Pathology , Hannover Medical School , Hannover , Germany
| | | | - Hans Kreipe
- a Institute of Pathology , Hannover Medical School , Hannover , Germany
| | - Henning Feist
- b Diakonissenkrankenhaus Flensburg , Flensburg , Germany
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19
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Mekinian A, Costedoat-Chalumeau N, Masseau A, Botta A, Chudzinski A, Theulin A, Emmanuelli V, Hachulla E, De Carolis S, Revaux A, Nicaise P, Cornelis F, Subtil D, Montestruc F, Bucourt M, Chollet-Martin S, Carbillon L, Fain O. Chronic histiocytic intervillositis: outcome, associated diseases and treatment in a multicenter prospective study. Autoimmunity 2014; 48:40-5. [PMID: 25028066 DOI: 10.3109/08916934.2014.939267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Introduction: In this prospective multicenter study, we aimed to describe (1) the outcome of pregnancy in the case of previous chronic histiocytic intervillositis (CHI), (2) the immunological findings and associated diseases, (3) the treatments, and (4) the factors associated with pregnancy loss. METHODS We prospectively included all patients with a prior CHI with ongoing pregnancy between 2011 and 2013. RESULTS Twenty-four women (age 34±5 years) were included in this study. An autoimmune disease was present in seven (29%) cases. Twenty-one prospective pregnancies were treated. The number of live births was more frequent comparatively to the previous obstetrical issues (16/24 versus 24/76; p=0.003). Most of the pregnancies were treated (88%), whereas only 13% of previous pregnancies were treated (p<0.05). No difference was found with respect to the pregnancy outcome in the different treatment regimens. In univariate analyses, a prior history of intrauterine death and intrauterine growth restriction and the presence of CHI in prospective placentas were associated with failure to have a live birth. DISCUSSION In this multicenter study, we show the frequency of the associated autoimmune diseases in CHI, as well as the presence of autoantibodies without characterized autoimmune disease. The number of live births increased from 32% to 67% in the treated pregnancies. Despite the treatment intervention, the risk of preterm delivery remained at 30%. Last, we show that the recurrence rate of an adverse pregnancy outcome persisted at 30% despite treatment intervention. CONCLUSION CHI is associated with high recurrence rate and the combined regimen seems to be necessary, in particular, in the presence of previous intrauterine death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arsène Mekinian
- Université Paris 13 , Bondy, France; AP-HP, Service de médecine interne, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Bondy , France
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20
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Freitag L, von Kaisenberg C, Kreipe H, Hussein K. Expression analysis of leukocytes attracting cytokines in chronic histiocytic intervillositis of the placenta. Int J Clin Exp Pathol 2013; 6:1103-1111. [PMID: 23696928 PMCID: PMC3657363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Chronic histiocytic intervillositis of the placenta (CHI) is a rare and potentially recurrent disease. Characteristically it shows accumulation of CD68+ cells in the intervillous space but no destructive tissue infiltration. An immunopathological background is likely but it is unknown what attracts circulating monocytes to the placenta. METHODS We analysed the expression profile of 102 inflammation- and angiogenesis-associated genes with real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 16 placentas: CHI (n = 5) and, as controls, villitis of unknown aetiology (VUE, n = 4) and normal placenta (n = 7). RESULTS Compared to controls, CHI had significantly higher levels of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) and transforming growth factor, beta receptor 1 (TGFBR1). MMP14 was lower in VUE than CHI (p < 0.05) and controls (not significant). Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9 (CXCL9), CXCL12, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5) and TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1) were significantly higher in VUE versus controls but not deregulated in CHI. The expression profile could not clearly discriminate CHI from VUE or controls but a tendency for grouping of massive CHI was found. Angiogenesis-associated factors were not deregulated in CHI. CONCLUSION The discrepancy of massive histiocytic accumulation and the lack of striking up-regulation of cytokines might be the basis of the non-destructive behaviour of the histiocytes in CHI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Freitag
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical SchoolHannover, Germany
| | | | - Hans Kreipe
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical SchoolHannover, Germany
| | - Kais Hussein
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical SchoolHannover, Germany
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Reus AD, van Besouw NM, Molenaar NM, Steegers EAP, Visser W, de Kuiper RP, de Krijger RR, Roelen DL, Exalto N. An immunological basis for chronic histiocytic intervillositis in recurrent fetal loss. Am J Reprod Immunol 2013; 70:230-7. [PMID: 23611029 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Accepted: 03/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Chronic histiocytic intervillositis (CHIV) is a rare type of placental pathology that is associated with reproductive loss at all gestational ages. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the severity of CHIV and the outcome of pregnancy and to compare the immune response between CHIV patients and controls to explore an immunological origin of CHIV. METHOD OF STUDY Microscopic slides were reviewed and scored according to a previously published grading system in 30 pregnancies of 22 CHIV patients. Partner-specific mixed lymphocyte reactions, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte precursor frequencies (CTLpf), and anti-HLA antibodies were determined in four patients and seven controls. RESULTS Higher CHIV scores are associated with worse pregnancy outcome. CHIV patients demonstrated a higher CTLpf against their partner compared to non-complicated pregnancies (P = 0.03). The CTLpf was extremely high in 75% of the patients. Antipaternal HLA antibodies were only present in 75% of the CHIV patients compared to none of the controls (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION CHIV scores seem to be associated with the severity of adverse pregnancy outcome. High antipaternal cellular (T-cell) and humoral (B-cell) response to partner-specific CTLpf and the presence of anti-HLA antibodies directed to the partner suggest an immunologic origin of CHIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Averil D Reus
- Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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