Hepatitis E, Schistosomiasis and Echinococcosis–Prevalence in a Cohort of Pregnant Migrants in Germany and Their Influence on Fetal Growth Restriction
Janine Zöllkau,
Juliane Ankert,
Mathias W. Pletz,
Sasmita Mishra,
Gregor Seliger,
Silvia M. Lobmaier,
Clarissa U. Prazeres Da Costa,
Vera Seidel,
Katharina von Weizsäcker,
Alexandra Jablonka,
Christian Dopfer,
Michael Baier,
Thomas Horvatits,
Ingrid Reiter-Owona,
Tanja Groten,
Benjamin T. Schleenvoigt
Affiliations
Janine Zöllkau
Department of Obstetrics, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
Juliane Ankert
Institute for Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
Mathias W. Pletz
Institute for Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
Sasmita Mishra
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Heidekreis Klinikum, 29664 Walsrode, Germany
Gregor Seliger
Center for Reproductive Medicine & Andrology, Department of Obstetrics & Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Halle (Saale), Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle, Germany
Silvia M. Lobmaier
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
Clarissa U. Prazeres Da Costa
Center for Global Health, Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
Vera Seidel
Clinic for Obstetrics, Charité, University Hospital, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Katharina von Weizsäcker
Clinic for Obstetrics, Charité, University Hospital, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Alexandra Jablonka
Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
Christian Dopfer
Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
Michael Baier
Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
Thomas Horvatits
Center for Internal Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
Ingrid Reiter-Owona
Institue of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital, 53127 Bonn, Germany
Tanja Groten
Department of Obstetrics, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
Benjamin T. Schleenvoigt
Institute for Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
Background: Infections, as well as adverse birth outcomes, may be more frequent in migrant women. Schistosomiasis, echinococcosis, and hepatitis E virus (HEV) seropositivity are associated with the adverse pregnancy outcomes of fetal growth restriction and premature delivery. Methods: A cohort study of 82 pregnant women with a history of migration and corresponding delivery of newborns in Germany was conducted. Results: Overall, 9% of sera tested positive for anti-HEV IgG. None of the patients tested positive for anti-HEV IgM, schistosomiasis, or echinococcus serology. Birth weights were below the 10th percentile for gestational age in 8.5% of the neonates. No association between HEV serology and fetal growth restriction (FGR) frequency was found. Conclusions: In comparison to German baseline data, no increased risk for HEV exposure or serological signs of exposure against schistosomiasis or echinococcosis could be observed in pregnant migrants. An influence of the anti-HEV serology status on fetal growth restriction could not be found.
