Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in pregnancy

This comprehensive case review of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) durin g, pregnancy in 5 women characterizes the effect of Sin Nombre virus infect ion on maternal and fetal outcomes. Histopathologic, serological, and clini cal information were evaluated for evidence of vertical transmission. Mater nal ages ranged from 20 to 34 years and gestational ages from 13 to 29 week s. Symptoms, physical findings, and laboratory values other than those rela ted to pregnancy were not noticeably different from those of nonpregnant pa tients with HPS, although fevers were somewhat lower. One maternal death an d 2 fetal losses occurred, Gross, microscopic, and immunohistochemical exam ination for hantavirus antigen were done on 2 fetal autopsies and 3 placent as showing no evidence of transplacental hantavirus transmission. There was no serological evidence of conversion in the 3 surviving children, Materna l and fetal outcomes of HPS appear similar to those of nonpregnant HPS pati ents and of pregnant patients with other causes of acute respiratory distre ss syndrome. No evidence of vertical transmission of Sin Nombre virus was f ound.