Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease. Unvaccinated pregnant women are not only at risk of infection but also at risk of severe pregnancy complications. As measles causes a dysregulation of the entire immune system, we describe immunological variations and how immune response mechanisms can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. We evaluated data during the measles outbreak reported in the province of Catania, Italy, from May 2017 to June 2018. We controlled hospital discharge records for patients admitted to hospital obstetric wards searching the measles diagnostic code. We have indicated the case as “confirmed” when the IgM was found to be positive with the ELISA method. We registered 843 cases of measles and 51% were females (430 cases). 24 patients between the ages of 17 and 40 had measles while they were pregnant. Adverse pregnancy outcomes included 2 spontaneous abortions, 1 therapeutic abortion, 1 foetal death, and 6 preterm deliveries. Respiratory complications were more prevalent in pregnant women (21%) than in nonpregnant women with measles (9%). 14 health care workers (1.7%) were infected with measles, and none of these had been previously vaccinated. Immune response mechanisms were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with measles. To reduce the rate of measles complications, gynaecologists should investigate vaccination history and antibody test results in all women of childbearing age. During a measles outbreak, gynaecologists and midwives should be active proponents of vaccination administration and counteract any vaccine hesitancy not only in patients but also among health care workers.
Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease though the virus has brief persistence in the environment. According to a recent report of the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 110,000 people died from measles in 2017, mostly children under the age of 5 years, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine [
In the United States, measles was declared eliminated in 2000. Since 2016, the annual number of imported cases (28) has increased; overall, 1077 cases have been reported in the first six months of 2019 which is the highest number of reported cases since 2000 [
Although the vast majority of cases worldwide occur in countries with weak health systems, large outbreaks of measles also have been reported in developed countries indicating a return of the dangerousness of the disease; this is occurring in areas where effective vaccination programs were present for decades. These comebacks can be explained by immunity gaps in the population [
In Italy, measles vaccination has been recommended since 1976, and the current goal of the Ministry of Health is to vaccinate at least 95% of children within two years of age. However, up until the mid-1990s, the vaccination coverage did not exceed 60%, and in 2000, it was 70%. In 2017, a large outbreak occurred in Italy, especially in Sicily, a large region in the Southern part of Italy. Measles usually has the highest incidence among 5–9-year-olds, who generally accounted for more than 50% of the reported cases [
The measles virus is not teratogenic; however, it alters the physiological mechanisms of immunotolerance, present during pregnancy, through changes that mainly involve cell-mediated immunity. This can lead to a reaction similar to rejection manifested by spontaneous abortion or premature expulsion of the foetus.
The aim of this study was to present epidemiological data and describe the immunological variations and complications during an outbreak of measles. Secondary aim was to investigate potential interventions that could be used to reduce the rate of measles complications, taking into account that vaccination cannot be performed during pregnancy.
We collected information on measles cases reported to the Provincial Agency for Health of Catania, Sicily, Italy, during the measles epidemic period between 2017 and 2018. Catania is the second largest province of Sicily with approximately 1100,000 inhabitants. It is a part of the southern Italy region where the highest number of measles cases was recorded in 2018. The data in the province of Catania have been compared with the data from the Sicilian region (5 million inhabitants) and data from all Italy (60 million inhabitants). These comparative data were provided by the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) and analysed to better understand the progress of the epidemic.
We extrapolated data on women of childbearing age (17-40) to verify the incidence and the recorded complications of measles among these individuals. We analysed the data to determine measles incidence during pregnancy and associated outcomes including complications.
Three data sources were used:
Cases reported to the Complex Operating Unit “Epidemiology and Prevention” of the Provincial Agency for Health of Catania (ASP 3) from May 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018 Hospital discharge records of patients admitted to hospital obstetric wards in the province of Catania during the period considered. We used the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) to search for the following diagnostic codes:
Patient medical records were further collected to retrieve medical history and pregnancy outcomes and complications. Data were then collected and coded in a single database.
Data from the ISTAT were consulted for the verification of regional and national data
To confirm the diagnosis, a blood sample is taken. The serum is measured for measles-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM). Serologic testing is done by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA or EIA) for IgM antibodies.
We did a descriptive analysis due to the small sample size. We compared the rates of each complication between pregnant and nonpregnant women. The threshold for significance was a
In 2017, a large measles outbreak occurred in Italy from January 1 to December 31, 2017; during this time, 5393 measles cases were reported. The incidence of measles increased from 1.4 cases/100,000 inhabitants in 2016 to 8.2/100,000 in 2017 indicating a serious outbreak. In 2018, with 2526 measles cases reported in Italy, the incidence fell again to 4.2/100,000.
In Sicily, the outbreak spread later than in Italy, and the peak was recorded in 2018 and consisted of approximately half of all reported national cases. We have gone from a measles incidence rate of 1.3/100,000 in 2016 to 8.4 cases per 100,000 in 2017 reaching 22.2/100,000 during 2018.
We registered 425 cases in 2017 (7.8% of the national total) including 4 deaths. Overall, 81% of the cases in 2017 were confirmed by laboratory tests with specific IgM positivity results. Those most affected included individuals over 15 years of age, and 51% were females. Deaths associated with measles occurred due to complications, especially involving the respiratory system.
In 2018, 1117 cases (46% of the national total) were reported in Sicily, and 74% of cases were confirmed by laboratory tests in 2018. The median age of those infected was 25 years, and 47% of the cases reported at least one complication. So far, 8 deaths have been reported, and 115 cases were reported among health care professionals.
Similar to other Sicilian provinces, the outbreak in Catania occurred mainly between May 2017 and June 2018, and during this period, 843 cases were reported. All cases were confirmed by anti-measles IgM positivity. The median age of those affected was 22 years, and 51% were females (430 cases).
Among the 843 cases reported, overall, 14 health care workers (1.7%) were infected with measles, and none of these had been previously vaccinated.
A total of 24 cases of measles during pregnancy were registered. The clinical features of the individual cases are reported on Table
Clinical features and outcome of 24 cases of women with measles in pregnancy (V: vaginal delivery; C: caesarean section; A: abortion/miscarriage).
Case | Symptoms of measles | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Case | Age of the mother (years) | Pregnancy number | Fever | Rash | Rhinitis | Conjunctivitis | Cough | Adenopathy | Arthralgia | Arthritis | Gestational age at the time of admission for measles (week) | Gestational age at the time of delivery (week) | Type of birth | Outcome | Complications of measles | Notes and discharge diagnosis | |
MA | 1 | 26 | 2 | x | x | x | 32 | 38 | V | Live birth | No | ||||||
MS | 2 | 19 | 1 | x | x | x | x | 32 | 33 | C | Stillborn | Pneumonia, respiratory failure, stomatitis, intrauterine death | Umbilical cord wrapped around the neck, premature childbirth | ||||
LF | 3 | 38 | 1 | x | x | x | x | x | 39 | 39 | V | Live birth | Keratoconjunctivitis, pneumonia, stomatitis | ||||
LA | 4 | 37 | 2 | x | x | x | x | 15 | 15 | A | Miscarriage | Pneumonia, diarrhea | Fibrosing alveolitis, dyspnea | ||||
FN | 5 | 22 | 2 | x | x | x | x | 28 | 29 | C | Live birth | Pneumonia, diarrhea, stomatitis, keratoconjunctivitis | Threat of premature labor | ||||
NF | 6 | 24 | 1 | x | x | x | x | x | 11 | 11 | A | Abortion | No | Blood loss, voluntary abortion | |||
TA | 7 | 18 | 2 | x | x | x | x | 26 | 28 | C | Live birth | No | Premature childbirth | ||||
LM | 8 | 23 | 2 | x | x | x | x | 16 | 38 | V | Live birth | No | |||||
FG | 9 | 29 | 1 | x | x | x | x | 19 | 39 | C | Live birth | Liver dysfunction | Oligoidramnios, foetal distress | ||||
PC | 10 | 17 | 1 | x | x | 39 | V | Live birth | No | ||||||||
TS | 11 | 35 | 3 | x | x | 39 | C | Live birth | No | Threat of premature labor | |||||||
PC | 12 | 28 | 2 | x | x | 41 | V | Live birth | No | ||||||||
UF | 13 | 30 | 1 | x | x | 38 | C | Live birth | No | Abnormalities of heart rate or of fetal heart rate | |||||||
GA | 14 | 30 | 1 | x | x | x | x | 6 | 32 | V | Live birth | No | Chronic hepatitis | ||||
PA | 15 | 34 | 1 | x | x | x | x | x | 28 | 32 | C | Live birth | No | Premature rupture of membranes, diabetes mellitus, insufficient foetal development | |||
RA | 16 | 25 | 1 | x | x | x | 36 | 36 | C | Live birth | Pneumonia | Hypertension, fever | |||||
DG | 17 | 28 | 1 | x | x | 31 | 38 | V | Live birth | No | |||||||
SM | 18 | 26 | 1 | x | x | 24 | 38 | V | Live birth | No | |||||||
MC | 19 | 39 | 2 | x | x | x | x | x | 19 | Lost to follow-up | / | Lost to follow-up | Thrombocytopenia | ||||
LL | 20 | 40 | 2 | x | x | x | x | x | 4 | Miscarriage | A | Miscarriage | No | Voluntary abortion | |||
VL | 21 | 24 | 1 | x | x | x | x | x | 38 | 38 | C | Live birth | Pneumonia | ||||
FD | 22 | 23 | 1 | x | x | x | x | 26 | 38 | C | Live birth | No | |||||
MV | 23 | 29 | 2 | x | x | x | x | 33 | 33 | C | Live birth | No | Premature release of placenta, blood loss antepartum | ||||
GD | 24 | 22 | 1 | x | x | x | x | x | 25 (1st) | 40 | V | Live birth | Threat of premature labor | ||||
34 (2nd) | Hypertension, preinduction with prostaglandin, short umbilical cord, umbilical cord around the neck, mild preeclampsia proteinuria, increase of uric acid, hypoalbuminemia. Therapy: albumin, antibiotics, antithrombin III | Right renal pelvic dilatation at 6th month, hypertension, hypoalbuminemia, haemoglobinuris and proteinuria, bilateral edema, no gasps |
The women were 17 to 40 years of age (median 27). All pregnant women affected by measles presented fever and rash at a distance of between one and six days from fever. Among all cases, there were 2 spontaneous abortions (5 and 15 weeks of gestation), and one therapeutic abortion was reported at the eleventh week. An intrauterine foetal death occurred at the thirty-third week of gestation. After spontaneous delivery, caesarean section was performed. The foetus presented the umbilical cord looped around the neck. The mother presented stomatitis, keratoconjunctivitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and respiratory failure. Six preterm deliveries (4 premature deliveries, 28-32 weeks of gestation, 2 preterm deliveries, 32-37 weeks of gestation) and 13 term deliveries occurred.
Twenty patients were hospitalized due to measles or relative complications. GD was hospitalized at the twenty-fifth and thirty-fourth weeks of gestation and gave birth at the fortieth week reporting the complications described in the table.
The frequency of measles complications was calculated for women with measles during pregnancy (
Frequencies of measles complications in pregnant women with measles versus nonpregnant women with measles.
Women with measles—age 17-40 ( | |||
---|---|---|---|
Pregnant ( | Nonpregnant ( | ||
Complications | |||
Pneumonia | 6 (25) | 20 (8.8) | 0.013 |
Otitis | 0 (0) | 4 (20.4) | 0.51 |
Keratoconjunctivitis | 2 (8.3) | 66 (29.1) | 0.02 |
Croup | 1 (4.1) | 12 (5.3) | 0.81 |
Diarrhoea | 2 (8.3) | 35 (15.4) | 0.35 |
Stomatitis | 3 (12.5) | 44 (19.4) | 0.41 |
Convulsions | 0 (0) | 2 (0.9) | 0.64 |
Hepatitis | 1 (0) | 43 (18.9) | 0.06 |
Thrombocytopenia | 1 (4.1) | 13 (5.7) | 0.75 |
Encephalitis | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | / |
In both groups, none of the women who developed pneumonia or respiratory failure had symptoms of underlying diseases as asthma or bronchitis.
All six WHO regions have the goal of measles elimination by or before 2020 [
The large outbreak of measles with the characteristic age shift that occurred in Italy in 2017 has gained more attention from epidemiologists and other clinicians rather than only paediatric specialists. The disease notification data show that a predominance of forms (79.5%) was filled out in hospitals or emergency rooms while the minority (20.5%) were filled out by paediatricians and general practitioners in private clinics. It must be stressed that the actual number of cases is more likely to be at least 2-3 times higher due to the reduced notifications of cases managed at home.
This study focused on pregnant women with measles to give an overview of the complications and outcomes associated with measles infections in this special group of patients. Our results demonstrate that the spontaneous abortion rate (8%) aligns with the frequencies observed in the general population [
The evidence regarding the association of measles in pregnancy and spontaneous abortion is limited; however, a recent review found higher rates of pregnancy loss in pregnant women with measles, especially in developing countries [
Measles in pregnancy can also lead to perinatal infections in the newborn, which can be associated with a high mortality and neurological complications such as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis [
Another aspect of measles in pregnancy concerns its direct effects on pregnant women. Mortality and morbidity risks associated with measles in pregnant women are higher than in nonpregnant women. In particular, pregnant women with measles are more likely to be hospitalized, to develop pneumonia, and to die when compared to nonpregnant women with measles [
In our study, a high rate of pregnant women developed respiratory complications, including pneumonia, while nonpregnant women affected by the same measles outbreak had a significantly lower rate of respiratory complications. Uninfected pregnant women are more likely to develop minor complications that often do not require hospitalization such as stomatitis and conjunctivitis.
Immune response mechanisms could be responsible for the adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with measles. Those infected with measles can produce an efficient and effective immune response directed by T lymphocytes that aim to eliminate the virus from the body. Overall, CD8 levels increase, and a maculopapular rash develop, as a consequence of the interaction between T lymphocytes and infected cells [
Therefore, the integrity of cell-mediated immunity is essential to cope with measles infections. A strong immune response is set up by the organism against the virus and, after the onset of the exanthema, a nonspecific and temporary immunosuppression is developed. This immunosuppression is in part responsible for the susceptibility to other infections. In addition to immuno-depression, measles infections lead to a dysregulation of the entire immune system, indicated by a characteristic increase in IgE.
In children with impaired cellular immunity, the infection has an unfavourable course due to complications such as giant cell pneumonia or encephalitis. However, in the agammaglobulinemic patients, the infection follows its usual course with the development of a secondary immunity without the production of Ig antibodies.
The association between the immune response and the possible mechanisms underlying the failure of immune-mediated responses during pregnancy has been described [
During the first trimester of pregnancy, the subpopulation of natural killer uterine cells (uNK), a specialised and specific cellular subset of the uterus, increases to comprise approximately 70% of the leukocyte population in the endometrium. The uNK cells intervene in the complex regulatory mechanisms that govern the early implant phases and the placentation phenomena through the secretion of various cytokines. The panel of cytokines produced by uNK cells carries out different “sign” actions towards the product of conception, and the final outcome of pregnancy depends ultimately on a fine regulation of the “cocktail” of cytokines produced [
The only effective measure to avoid measles in pregnancy is to improve the adherence of the general population to vaccination programs [
Measles have evolved from a disease contracted in paediatric age groups to the creation of pockets of unvaccinated populations which has manifested a disease that affects a broad range of young adults. To protect young women who plan to get pregnant, the guidelines established by the WHO must be implemented because MMR vaccines are contraindicated during pregnancy. For this reason, within a measles outbreak, it is advisable to verify a woman’s susceptibility to measles, especially among those who wish to get pregnant, in order to promptly administer the vaccine.
Vaccine hesitancy is spreading, not only among citizens but also among healthcare workers (HCWs) with a consequent steady reduction in vaccine coverage [
As it is already acknowledged among health professionals the validity of exclusive breastfeeding in the first months of life, it must also be supported by health worker’s vaccination against measles [
Gynaecologists and midwives have an important role in reducing complications: the introduction of routine testing to assess measles susceptibility may allow to make decisions about the possibility of reducing the complications of the disease in the newborn.
In case of prepregnant woman, they may propose vaccination options.
Dosing antibodies during pregnancy and thus, know the immunological situation of the mother, may, in the case of a measles epidemic, suggest that the first dose of vaccine be given in advance to protect the infant [
The main limit of the study is the following: it is a single-centre study, and therefore, a much larger study would be required to draw stronger conclusions. However, it is important to highlight that it is not possible to accept serious complications, such as those described, for a disease that can be eradicated. Even if there could be only a small number of complications, it is necessary to do whatever it takes to avoid the spread of other epidemics and the possible consequences.
This study presented the immunological variations that explain the severity of measles infection, whether contracted by pregnant women or in newborns.
Measles in pregnancy should not be underestimated, especially in an outbreak situation, as it can increase the risk of both maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality.
The measles virus is not teratogenic; however, it alters the physiological mechanisms of immunotolerance during pregnancy through changes that mainly involve cell-mediated immunity. This can lead to a rejection-similar reaction seen with spontaneous abortion or premature expulsion of the foetus. The possible increased rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal complications must be considered. It is hoped that early detection of the disease and an appropriate patient management can reduce complications.
Since measles vaccines are contraindicated in pregnancy, targeted vaccination programs for susceptible people are mandatory: adolescents, young women who plan to get pregnant, and health care workers.
Gynaecologists and midwives have an important role in reducing complications: the introduction of routine testing to assess measles susceptibility may allow to make decisions about the possibility of reducing the complications of the disease on the newborn.
All data are available if requested.
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.
All authors read and approved the final manuscript. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.
This research was supported by the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia,” University of Catania, Italy (Piano triennale di sviluppo delle attività di ricerca scientifica del Dipartimento 2016-2018).