Gamma SARS ‐ CoV ‐2 variant of concern infection repercussions on pregnancy outcomes: A translational cohort study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study conduct viral genome sequencing among severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected pregnant and postpartum individuals, and investigates disease severity and maternal and perinatal outcomes considering variant of concern (VOC) and non-VOC groups. METHODS: The study was designed as a prospective cohort study of unvaccinated pregnant and postpartum women with SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnosed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction between May 2020 and April 2021 at a maternal referral center. Initially, 111 participants were identified, and 50 presented with conditions for genome sequencing and further analysis. The SARS-CoV-2 genome was subjected to next-generation sequencing in eligible cases. Sociodemographic characteristics, background, and clinical and obstetric outcomes were compared according to the SARS-CoV-2 genomic data (VOC vs. non-VOC). RESULTS: Among the sequenced cases, 18 were classified as VOC, among which 14 were Gamma cases and four Alpha. Oxygen desaturation, hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, invasive ventilation, and maternal death were significantly higher in SARS-CoV-2 VOC-infected than in non-VOC-infected cases. All three cases of maternal death were classified as VOC, including two Gamma and one Alpha. CONCLUSION: Pregnant and postpartum people presented with an increased morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 VOC, especially Gamma. The increased risk of clinical severity in the unvaccinated obstetric population underscores the importance of addressing the repercussions of the SARS-CoV-2 genomic evolution.
DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.70985
Authors: Guilherme M. Nobrega, Fabiana Granja, Mariene R. Amorim, Luciana S. Mofatto, Daniel A. Toledo‐Teixeira, Julia Forato, Priscilla P. Barbosa, Jose Paulo S. Guida, Adriana G. Luz, Giuliane J. Lajos, Carolina C. Ribeiro‐do‐Valle, Gisele A. Pedroso, Kamila C. S. Krywacz, Angelica Z. Schreiber, Giuliana D. Moreno, Rodrigo N. Angerami, Maria Luiza Moretti, Rodolfo C. Pacagnella, Renato T. Souza, Jose Guilherme Cecatti, Rodrigo G. Stabeli, Magnun N. N. Santos, Fernando R. Spilki, Ester C. Sabino, Nuno R. Faria, William M. de Souza, Jose Luiz Proenca‐Modena, Maria Laura Costa
Language: English
Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,480
Funders: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos, Fundo de Apoio ao Ensino, à Pesquisa e Extensão, Universidade Estadual de Campinas
Awards: G1207639193, G2343365992, G2664674715, Pathogenesis and neurovirulence of emerging viruses in Brazil, G3221842684, Characterization of intrinsic risk factors and the development of new diagnostic and treatment alternatives for COVID-19, G3391667509, G508291962, G546673844, G5917685881, G6291979879, SPIICA - the São Paulo-Imperial College (UK) Immune Correlates in Arbovirus Infection Network: special emphasis on CHIKV, G686464296, G9000153568, G905586371
OpenAlex ID: W7144065037