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Abrego-Navarro M, Villalobos R, Sanchez J, Lamela D, Fu C, Guerrero E, Gracia PVD, López-Vergès S, Solis MA. Placental inflammation in a fetal demise of a SARS-CoV-2-asymptomatic, COVID-19-unvaccinated pregnant woman: a case-report. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:319. [PMID: 38664805 PMCID: PMC11044384 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06530-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intrauterine fetal demise is a recognized complication of coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnant women and is associated with histopathological placental lesions. The pathological mechanism and virus-induced immune response in the placenta are not fully understood. A detailed description of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced inflammation in the placenta during fetal demise is crucial for improved clinical management. CASE PRESENTATION We report the case of a 27-week gestation SARS-CoV-2-asymptomatic unvaccinated pregnant woman without comorbidities or other risk factors for negative pregnancy outcomes with a diagnosis of intrauterine fetal demise. Histopathological findings corresponded to patterns of subacute inflammation throughout the anatomic compartments of the placenta, showing severe chorioamnionitis, chronic villitis and deciduitis, accompanied by maternal and fetal vascular malperfusion. Our immunohistochemistry results revealed infiltration of CD68+ macrophages, CD56+ Natural Killer cells and scarce CD8+ T cytotoxic lymphocytes at the site of placental inflammation, with the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid located in stromal cells of the chorion and chorionic villi, and in decidual cells. CONCLUSION This case describes novel histopathological lesions of inflammation with infiltration of plasma cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and natural killer cells associated with malperfusion in the placenta of a SARS-CoV-2-infected asymptomatic woman with intrauterine fetal demise. A better understanding of the inflammatory effects exerted by SARS-CoV-2 in the placenta will enable strategies for better clinical management of pregnant women unvaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 to avoid fatal fetal outcomes during future transmission waves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maricarmen Abrego-Navarro
- Stem Cell Research Group, Department of Research in Sexual and Reproductive Health Research, Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies, Avenida Justo Arosemena y Calle 35, Panama City, Republic of Panama
- Ministry of Health, Panama City, Republic of Panama
| | - Rodrigo Villalobos
- Department of Diagnostics, Pathology Service, Hospital Santo Tomas, Panama City, Republic of Panama
| | - Jaime Sanchez
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hospital Santo Tomas, Panama City, Republic of Panama
| | - Deisa Lamela
- Department of Diagnostics, Pathology Service, Hospital Santo Tomas, Panama City, Republic of Panama
| | - Cindy Fu
- Stem Cell Research Group, Department of Research in Sexual and Reproductive Health Research, Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies, Avenida Justo Arosemena y Calle 35, Panama City, Republic of Panama
| | - Erika Guerrero
- Stem Cell Research Group, Department of Research in Sexual and Reproductive Health Research, Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies, Avenida Justo Arosemena y Calle 35, Panama City, Republic of Panama
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación, SENACYT, Panama City, Republic of Panama
| | - Paulino Vigil-De Gracia
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Complejo Hospitalario Metropolitano Dr Arnulfo Arias Madrid, Panama City, Republic of Panama
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación, SENACYT, Panama City, Republic of Panama
| | - Sandra López-Vergès
- Department of Research in Virology and Biotechnology, Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies, Avenida Justo Arosemena y Calle 35, Panama City, Republic of Panama.
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación, SENACYT, Panama City, Republic of Panama.
| | - Mairim A Solis
- Stem Cell Research Group, Department of Research in Sexual and Reproductive Health Research, Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies, Avenida Justo Arosemena y Calle 35, Panama City, Republic of Panama.
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación, SENACYT, Panama City, Republic of Panama.
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2
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Moriarty KL, Oyenuga RO, Olafuyi O, Schwartz DA. Causes and Effects of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Pregnant Women and its Association with Adverse Maternal, Placental, and Perinatal Outcomes. THE YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2024; 97:73-84. [PMID: 38559465 PMCID: PMC10964823 DOI: 10.59249/lpoq5146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Populations identified to be severely affected by COVID-19, such as pregnant patients, require special consideration in vaccine counseling, access, and provider education. Maternal infection with COVID-19 poses a significant risk to the maternal-fetal dyad with known adverse placenta destruction [1-5]. Despite the widespread access and availability of vaccinations, vaccine hesitancy continues to persist and is highly prevalent in pregnant populations [6-9]. Addressing the multitude of social ecological factors surrounding vaccine hesitancy can aid in providing holistic counseling [10]. However, such factors are foremost shaped by maternal concern over possible fetal effects from vaccination. While changes in policy can help foster vaccine access and acceptance, increasing global provider education and incorporation of motivational interviewing skills are the first steps towards increasing maternal acceptance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Lee Moriarty
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University
of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Roselyn O. Oyenuga
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University
of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Olatoyosi Olafuyi
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University
of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
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3
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Merriel A, Fitzgerald B, O'Donoghue K. SARS-CoV-2-Placental effects and association with stillbirth. BJOG 2024; 131:385-400. [PMID: 37984971 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has had a significant impact on pregnancy outcomes due to the effects of the virus and the altered healthcare environment. Stillbirth has been relatively hidden during the COVID-19 pandemic, but a clear link between SARS-CoV-2 and poor fetal outcome emerged in the Alpha and Delta waves. A small minority of women/birthing people who contracted COVID-19 developed SARS-CoV-2 placentitis. In many reported cases this was linked to intrauterine fetal death, although there are cases of delivery just before imminent fetal demise and we shall discuss how some cases are sub-clinical. What is surprising, is that SARS-CoV-2 placentitis is often not associated with severe maternal COVID-19 infection and this makes it difficult to predict. The worst outcomes seem to be with diffuse placental disease which occurs within 21 days of COVID-19 diagnosis. Poor outcomes are often pre-dated by reduced fetal movements but are not associated with ultrasound changes. In some cases, there has also been maternal thrombocytopenia, or coagulation abnormalities, which may provide a clue as to which pregnancies are at risk of fetal demise if a further variant of concern is to emerge. In future, multidisciplinary collaboration and cross-boundary working must be prioritised, to identify quickly such a phenomenon and provide clinicians with clear guidance for reducing fetal death and associated poor outcomes. While we wait to see if COVID-19 brings a future variant of concern, we must focus on appropriate future management of women who have had SARS-CoV-2 placentitis. As a placental condition with an infectious aetiology, SARS-CoV-placentitis is unlikely to recur in a subsequent pregnancy and thus a measured approach to subsequent pregnancy management is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abi Merriel
- Centre for Women's Health Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Liverpool Women's Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Keelin O'Donoghue
- Pregnancy Loss Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland
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4
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Popescu DE, Roșca I, Jura AMC, Cioca A, Pop O, Lungu N, Popa ZL, Rațiu A, Boia M. Prompt Placental Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Assessment after SARS-CoV-2 Infection during Pregnancy-Our Perspective of a Small Group. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1836. [PMID: 38339114 PMCID: PMC10855253 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Research indicates compelling evidence of SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission as a result of placental pathology. This study offers an approach to histopathological and immunohistochemical placental observations from SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers compared to negative ones. Out of the 44 examined placentas, 24 were collected from patients with a SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and 20 were collected from patients without infection. The disease group showed strong SARS-CoV-2 positivity of the membranes, trophoblasts, and fetal villous macrophages. Most infections occurred during the third trimester of pregnancy (66.6%). Pathology revealed areas consistent with avascular villi (AV) and thrombi in the chorionic vessels and umbilical cord in the positive group, suggesting fetal vascular malperfusion (FVM). This study shows SARS-CoV-2 has an impact on coagulation, demonstrated by fetal thrombotic vasculopathy (p = 0.01) and fibrin deposition (p = 0.01). Other observed features included infarction (17%), perivillous fibrin deposition (29%), intervillous fibrin (25%), delayed placental maturation (8.3%), chorangiosis (13%), chorioamnionitis (8.3%), and meconium (21%). The negative control group revealed only one case of placental infarction (5%), intervillous fibrin (5%), delayed placental maturation (5%), and chorioamnionitis (5%) and two cases of meconium (19%). Our study sheds light on the changes and differences that occurred in placentas from SARS-CoV-2-infected mothers and the control group. Further research is necessary to definitively establish whether SARS-CoV-2 is the primary culprit behind these intricate complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Eugenia Popescu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
- Department of Neonatology, Premiere Hospital, Regina Maria Health Network, Calea Aradului, No. 113, 300645 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Ioana Roșca
- Faculty of Midwifery and Nursery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ana Maria Cristina Jura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Andreea Cioca
- Department of Pathology, Premiere Hospital, Regina Maria Health Network, Calea Aradului, No. 113, 300645 Timişoara, Romania;
| | - Ovidiu Pop
- Department of Morphological Sciences, University of Oradea, Universității Street, No. 1, 410087 Oradea, Romania
| | - Nicoleta Lungu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Zoran-Laurențiu Popa
- Department XII Obstetrics and Gynecology—Obstetrics and Gynecology III, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Adrian Rațiu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Mărioara Boia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
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Coler B, Cervantes O, Li M, Coler C, Li A, Shivakumar M, Every E, Schwartz D, Adams Waldorf KM. Common pathways targeted by viral hemorrhagic fever viruses to infect the placenta and increase the risk of stillbirth. Placenta 2023; 141:2-9. [PMID: 36939178 PMCID: PMC10102255 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF) are endemic to Africa, South America and Asia and contribute to significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Viruses causing VHFs are typically zoonotic, spreading to humans through livestock, wildlife, or mosquito vectors. Some of the most lethal VHF viruses also impart a high-risk of stillbirth including ebolaviruses, Marburg virus (MARV), Lassa virus (LASV), and Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV). Large outbreaks and epidemics are common, though the impact on the mother, fetus and placenta is understudied from a public health, clinical and basic science perspective. Notably, these viruses utilize ubiquitous cellular surface entry receptors critical for normal placental function to enable viral invasion into multiple key cell types of the placenta and set the stage for maternal-fetal transmission and stillbirth. We employ insights from molecular virology and viral immunology to discuss how trophoblast expression of viral entry receptors for VHF viruses may increase the risk for viral transmission to the fetus and stillbirth. As the frequency of VHF outbreaks is expected to increase with worsening climate change, understanding the pathogenesis of VHF-related diseases in the placenta is paramount to predicting the impact of emerging viruses on the placenta and perinatal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brahm Coler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA
| | - Orlando Cervantes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Miranda Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, NY, USA
| | | | - Amanda Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Case Western Reserve, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Megana Shivakumar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Emma Every
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Kristina M Adams Waldorf
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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6
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Doratt BM, Sureshchandra S, True H, Rincon M, Marshall NE, Messaoudi I. Mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 in unvaccinated pregnant mothers impairs neonatal immune responses. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e172658. [PMID: 37698937 PMCID: PMC10629812 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.172658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers placental inflammation and alters cord blood immune cell composition. However, most studies focus on outcomes of severe maternal infection. Therefore, we analyzed cord blood and chorionic villi from newborns of unvaccinated mothers who experienced mild/asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. We investigated immune cell rewiring using flow cytometry, single-cell RNA sequencing, and functional readouts using ex vivo stimulation with TLR agonists and pathogens. Maternal infection was associated with increased frequency of memory T and B cells and nonclassical monocytes in cord blood. Ex vivo T and B cell responses to stimulation were attenuated, suggesting a tolerogenic state. Maladaptive responses were also observed in cord blood monocytes, where antiviral responses were dampened but responses to bacterial TLRs were increased. Maternal infection was also associated with expansion and activation of placental Hofbauer cells, secreting elevated levels of myeloid cell-recruiting chemokines. Moreover, we reported increased activation of maternally derived monocytes/macrophages in the fetal placenta that were transcriptionally primed for antiviral responses. Our data indicate that even in the absence of vertical transmission or symptoms in the neonate, mild/asymptomatic maternal COVID-19 altered the transcriptional and functional state in fetal immune cells in circulation and in the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna M. Doratt
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Suhas Sureshchandra
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, and
- Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Heather True
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Monica Rincon
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Nicole E. Marshall
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Ilhem Messaoudi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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7
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Kosič N, Luzar B, Pečlin P, Druškovič M, Rus KR, Županc TA, Sršen TP. Fetal death from SARS-CoV-2 mediated acute placental failure. J Reprod Immunol 2023; 158:103958. [PMID: 37263029 PMCID: PMC10191722 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We demonstrate the nonlinear severity of symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the mother leading to fetal death after acute placental failure. METHODS Careful clinical evaluation, real-time RT-PCR molecular microbiologic testing, isolation of a viable virus, and autopsy with histologic results were used to investigate the possible vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection from mother to fetus. RESULTS Histologic changes in the placenta correlate with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Total nucleic acid isolated from vaginal swabs, fresh placental tissue, and deparaffinized tissue showed a high viral load of SARS-CoV-2. Complete genome sequencing confirmed the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. DISCUSSION Several methods have been used to confirm SARS-CoV-2-mediated acute placental failure, all of which were conclusive. It should be noted that careful periodic fetal well-being checks are required in women infected with SARS-CoV-2, regardless of the severity of symptoms. Most of the cases described with fetal death occurred in the third trimester.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Kosič
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital Jesenice, Jesenice, Slovenia.
| | - Boštjan Luzar
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Polona Pečlin
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mirjam Druškovič
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katarina Resman Rus
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tatjana Avšič Županc
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Premru Sršen
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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8
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Doratt BM, Sureshchandra S, True H, Rincon M, Marshall N, Messaoudi I. Mild/Asymptomatic Maternal SARS-CoV-2 Infection Leads to Immune Paralysis in Fetal Circulation and Immune Dysregulation in Fetal-Placental Tissues. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.10.540233. [PMID: 37214938 PMCID: PMC10197637 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.10.540233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have addressed the impact of maternal mild/asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection on the developing neonatal immune system. In this study, we analyzed umbilical cord blood and placental chorionic villi from newborns of unvaccinated mothers with mild/asymptomatic SARSCoV-2 infection during pregnancy using flow cytometry, single-cell transcriptomics, and functional assays. Despite the lack of vertical transmission, levels of inflammatory mediators were altered in cord blood. Maternal infection was also associated with increased memory T, B cells, and non-classical monocytes as well as increased activation. However, ex vivo responses to stimulation were attenuated. Finally, within the placental villi, we report an expansion of fetal Hofbauer cells and infiltrating maternal macrophages and rewiring towards a heightened inflammatory state. In contrast to cord blood monocytes, placental myeloid cells were primed for heightened antiviral responses. Taken together, this study highlights dysregulated fetal immune cell responses in response to mild maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna M. Doratt
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY 40536
| | - Suhas Sureshchandra
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine CA 92697
- Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine CA 92697
| | - Heather True
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY 40536
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY 40536
| | - Monica Rincon
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland OR 97239
| | - Nicole Marshall
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland OR 97239
| | - Ilhem Messaoudi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY 40536
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9
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Massimo M, Barelli C, Moreno C, Collesi C, Holloway RK, Crespo B, Zentilin L, Williams A, Miron VE, Giacca M, Long KR. Haemorrhage of human foetal cortex associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Brain 2023; 146:1175-1185. [PMID: 36642091 PMCID: PMC9976976 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal viral infection and immune response are known to increase the risk of altered development of the foetal brain. Given the ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), investigating the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on foetal brain health is of critical importance. Here, we report the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in first and second trimester foetal brain tissue in association with cortical haemorrhages. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was sparsely detected within progenitors and neurons of the cortex itself, but was abundant in the choroid plexus of haemorrhagic samples. SARS-CoV-2 was also sparsely detected in placenta, amnion and umbilical cord tissues. Cortical haemorrhages were linked to a reduction in blood vessel integrity and an increase in immune cell infiltration into the foetal brain. Our findings indicate that SARS-CoV-2 infection may affect the foetal brain during early gestation and highlight the need for further study of its impact on subsequent neurological development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Massimo
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Carlotta Barelli
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Catalina Moreno
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Chiara Collesi
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34139 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Rebecca K Holloway
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Chancellor’s Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Dementia Research Institute at The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Barlo Multiple Sclerosis Centre and Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Berta Crespo
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Lorena Zentilin
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34139 Trieste, Italy
| | - Anna Williams
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Veronique E Miron
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Chancellor’s Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Dementia Research Institute at The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Barlo Multiple Sclerosis Centre and Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mauro Giacca
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34139 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Katherine R Long
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London, UK
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10
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SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, stillbirth, and maternal COVID-19 vaccination: clinical-pathologic correlations. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023; 228:261-269. [PMID: 36243041 PMCID: PMC9554221 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Stillbirth is a recognized complication of COVID-19 in pregnant women that has recently been demonstrated to be caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection of the placenta. Multiple global studies have found that the placental pathology present in cases of stillbirth consists of a combination of concurrent destructive findings that include increased fibrin deposition that typically reaches the level of massive perivillous fibrin deposition, chronic histiocytic intervillositis, and trophoblast necrosis. These 3 pathologic lesions, collectively termed SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, can cause severe and diffuse placental parenchymal destruction that can affect >75% of the placenta, effectively rendering it incapable of performing its function of oxygenating the fetus and leading to stillbirth and neonatal death via malperfusion and placental insufficiency. Placental infection and destruction can occur in the absence of demonstrable fetal infection. Development of SARS-CoV-2 placentitis is a complex process that may have both an infectious and immunologic basis. An important observation is that in all reported cases of SARS-CoV-2 placentitis causing stillbirth and neonatal death, the mothers were unvaccinated. SARS-CoV-2 placentitis is likely the result of an episode of SARS-CoV-2 viremia at some time during the pregnancy. This article discusses clinical and pathologic aspects of the relationship between maternal COVID-19 vaccination, SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, and perinatal death.
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Reagan-Steiner S, Bhatnagar J, Martines RB, Milligan NS, Gisondo C, Williams FB, Lee E, Estetter L, Bullock H, Goldsmith CS, Fair P, Hand J, Richardson G, Woodworth KR, Oduyebo T, Galang RR, Phillips R, Belyaeva E, Yin XM, Meaney-Delman D, Uyeki TM, Roberts DJ, Zaki SR. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Neonatal Autopsy Tissues and Placenta. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:510-517. [PMID: 35138244 PMCID: PMC8888232 DOI: 10.3201/eid2803.211735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
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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:v14030458. [PMID: 35336864 PMCID: PMC8950737 DOI: 10.3390/v14030458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [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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Schwartz DA, Avvad-Portari E, Babál P, Baldewijns M, Blomberg M, Bouachba A, Camacho J, Collardeau-Frachon S, Colson A, Dehaene I, Ferreres JC, Fitzgerald B, Garrido-Pontnou M, Gerges H, Hargitai B, Helguera-Repetto AC, Holmström S, Irles CL, Leijonhfvud Å, Libbrecht S, Marton T, McEntagart N, Molina JT, Morotti R, Nadal A, Navarro A, Nelander M, Oviedo A, Oyamada Otani AR, Papadogiannakis N, Petersen AC, Roberts DJ, Saad AG, Sand A, Schoenmakers S, Sehn JK, Simpson PR, Thomas K, Valdespino-Vázquez MY, van der Meeren LE, Van Dorpe J, Verdijk RM, Watkins JC, Zaigham M. Placental Tissue Destruction and Insufficiency from COVID-19 Causes Stillbirth and Neonatal Death from Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury: A Study of 68 Cases with SARS-CoV-2 Placentitis from 12 Countries. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2022; 146:660-676. [PMID: 35142798 DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2022-0029-sa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT.— Perinatal death is an increasingly important problem as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, but the mechanism of death has been unclear. OBJECTIVE.— To evaluate the role of the placenta in causing stillbirth and neonatal death following maternal infection with COVID-19 and confirmed placental positivity for SARS-CoV-2. DESIGN.— Case-based retrospective clinico-pathological analysis by a multinational group of 44 perinatal specialists from 12 countries of placental and autopsy pathology findings from 64 stillborns and 4 neonatal deaths having placentas testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 following delivery to mothers with COVID-19. RESULTS.— All 68 placentas had increased fibrin deposition and villous trophoblast necrosis and 66 had chronic histiocytic intervillositis, the three findings constituting SARS-CoV-2 placentitis. Sixty-three placentas had massive perivillous fibrin deposition. Severe destructive placental disease from SARS-CoV-2 placentitis averaged 77.7% tissue involvement. Other findings included multiple intervillous thrombi (37%; 25/68) and chronic villitis (32%; 22/68). The majority (19, 63%) of the 30 autopsies revealed no significant fetal abnormalities except for intrauterine hypoxia and asphyxia. Among all 68 cases, SARS-CoV-2 was detected from a body specimen in 16 of 28 cases tested, most frequently from nasopharyngeal swabs. Four autopsied stillborns had SARS-CoV-2 identified in internal organs. CONCLUSIONS.— The pathology abnormalities composing SARS-CoV-2 placentitis cause widespread and severe placental destruction resulting in placental malperfusion and insufficiency. In these cases, intrauterine and perinatal death likely results directly from placental insufficiency and fetal hypoxic-ischemic injury. There was no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 involvement of the fetus had a role in causing these deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elyzabeth Avvad-Portari
- Department of Pathology, Fernandes Figueira Institute, FIOCRUZ - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Avvad-Portari)
| | - Pavel Babál
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia (Babál)
| | - Marcella Baldewijns
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Baldewijns)
| | - Marie Blomberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden (Blomberg)
| | - Amine Bouachba
- Institut de Pathologie Multisite des Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; SOFFOET-Société Française de Foetopathologie, Paris, France (Bouachba)
| | - Jessica Camacho
- Pathology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain (Camacho)
| | - Sophie Collardeau-Frachon
- Department of Pathology, Hopital Femme-Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 and SOFFOET-Société Française de Foetopathologie, Paris France (Collardeau-Frachon)
| | - Arthur Colson
- Department of Obstetrics, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium (Colson)
| | - Isabelle Dehaene
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium (Dehaene)
| | - Joan Carles Ferreres
- Pathology Department, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí I3PT, Barcelona, Spain (Ferreres)
| | - Brendan Fitzgerald
- Department of Pathology, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Republic of Ireland (Fitzgerald)
| | - Marta Garrido-Pontnou
- Pathology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Department of Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (Garrido-Pontnou)
| | - Hazem Gerges
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Teaching Hospitals, Women's Hospital, Doncaster, United Kingdom (Gerges)
| | - Beata Hargitai
- Division of Perinatal Pathology, Department of Cellular Pathology, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom (Hargitai)
| | - A Cecilia Helguera-Repetto
- Immunobiochemistry Department, National Institute of Perinatology, Mexico City, Mexico (Helguera-Repetto)
| | - Sandra Holmström
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Halland Hospital, Varberg, Sweden (Holmström)
| | - Claudine Liliane Irles
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Development, National Institute of Perinatology "Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes", Mexico City, Mexico (Irles)
| | - Åsa Leijonhfvud
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Helsingborg Hospital, Department of Clinical Science Helsingborg, Lund University, Lund, Sweden (Leijonhfvud)
| | - Sasha Libbrecht
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium (Libbrecht)
| | - Tamás Marton
- Cellular Pathology Department, Birmingham Women's Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom (Marton)
| | - Noel McEntagart
- Histopathology, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Republic of Ireland (McEntagart)
| | - James T Molina
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, CHRISTUS Hospital St. Elizabeth, 2830 Calder St, Beaumont, Texas (Molina)
| | - Raffaella Morotti
- Department of Pathology and Pediatrics, Autopsy Service, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut (Morotti)
| | - Alfons Nadal
- Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain (Nadal).,Department of Basic Clinical Practice, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, and August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (Nadal)
| | - Alexandra Navarro
- Pathology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain (Navarro)
| | - Maria Nelander
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (Nelander)
| | - Angelica Oviedo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, New Mexico (Oviedo)
| | | | - Nikos Papadogiannakis
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute and Department of Pathology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden (Papadogiannakis)
| | - Astrid C Petersen
- Department of Pathology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark (Petersen)
| | - Drucilla J Roberts
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (Roberts)
| | - Ali G Saad
- Pediatric Pathology and Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Health System/Holtz Children's Hospital, Miami, Florida (Saad)
| | - Anna Sand
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden (Sand)
| | - Sam Schoenmakers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Schoenmakers)
| | - Jennifer K Sehn
- Department of Pathology, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (Sehn)
| | - Preston R Simpson
- Department of Pathology, CHRISTUS Hospital St. Elizabeth, 2830 Calder St., Beaumont, Texas (Simpson)
| | - Kristen Thomas
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Health - Main Campus & Bellevue Hospital Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York (Thomas)
| | | | - Lotte E van der Meeren
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands (van der Meeren).,Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands (van der Meeren)
| | - Jo Van Dorpe
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium (Van Dorpe)
| | - Robert M Verdijk
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Verdijk)
| | - Jaclyn C Watkins
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (Watkins)
| | - Mehreen Zaigham
- Obstetrics & Gynecology, Institution of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Sweden (Zaigham).,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö and Lund, Sweden (Zaigham)
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14
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Dogra N, Ledesma-Feliciano C, Sen R. Developmental Aspects of SARS-CoV-2, Potential Role of Exosomes and Their Impact on the Human Transcriptome. J Dev Biol 2021; 9:54. [PMID: 34940501 PMCID: PMC8708617 DOI: 10.3390/jdb9040054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
With over 4.8 million deaths within 2 years, time is of the essence in combating COVID-19. The infection now shows devastating impacts on the younger population, who were not previously predicted to be vulnerable, such as in the older population. COVID-19-related complications have been reported in neonates whose mothers were infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy, and in children who get infected. Hence, a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of COVID-19 during various developmental stages and placental transmission is essential. Although a connection has not yet been established between exosomal trafficking and the placental transmission of COVID-19, reports indicate that SARS-CoV-2 components may be trafficked between cells through exosomes. As the infection spreads, the transcriptome of cells is drastically perturbed, e.g., through the severe upregulation of several immune-related genes. Consequently, a major outcome of COVID-19 is an elevated immune response and the detection of viral RNA transcripts in host tissue. In this direction, this review focuses on SARS-CoV-2 virology, its in utero transmission from infected pregnant mothers to fetuses, SARS-CoV-2 and exosomal cellular trafficking, transcriptomic impacts, and RNA-mediated therapeutics against COVID-19. Future research will establish stronger connections between the above processes to develop diagnostic and therapeutic solutions towards COVID-19 and similar viral outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navneet Dogra
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Carmen Ledesma-Feliciano
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
| | - Rwik Sen
- Active Motif, Incorporated, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
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