J King Saud Univ Sci
. 2021 Jan;33(1):101255.
doi: 10.1016/j.jksus.2020.101255. Epub 2020 Dec 2.
Evaluating antibody response pattern in asymptomatic virus infected pregnant females: Human well-being study
Ashaq Ali 1 2 , Zubia Rashid 3 , Jieqiong Zhou 4 5 , Muhammad Zubair Yousaf 6 , Saddia Galani 7 , Asma Ashraf 8 , Khalid A Al-Ghanim 9 , Emin Al-Suliman 9 , Zubair Ahmed 9 , Muhammad Farooq 9 , Promy Virik 9 , Z A Kaimkhani 10 , Norah Al-Mulhm 9 , Shahid Mahboob 9 , Men Dong 1 2 , Qiuxiang Huang 5
Affiliations
- PMID: 33288976
- PMCID: PMC7709611
- DOI: 10.1016/j.jksus.2020.101255
Abstract
The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic infecting millions of people globally has given rise to serious public health threats. The need for early detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in asymptomatic pregnant women is compelling to detect vertical transmission timely. Here, 11 SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic pregnant cases from Wuhan China were investigated. All the patients were initially tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 on RT-PCR, so a chest CT scan was performed. Also, serum antibody (IgM and IgG) titers were estimated. CT scan of patients revealed typical abnormalities related to SARS-CoV-2, indicating ground-glass opacity and infection lesions suggesting viral pneumonia. Elevated IgM and IgG antibodies levels (p < 0.001) were also noticed in infected patients. Hence, CT imaging and serum antibody response are valuable in the early detection of SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic pregnant patients. These might serve as prognostic markers for healthcare professionals, in RT-PCR negative patients, to assess the effect of given treatment by chest CT.
Keywords: Asymptomatic; CT scan; Pregnant women; SARS-CoV-2; Serum antibodies.