SARS-CoV-2 is not present in the vaginal fluid of pregnant women with COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Data concerning the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the female genital system is scarce; however, this information is important for understanding whether the virus can transmit sexually or from mother to child. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pregnant women with COVID-19 have virus in their lower genital tract. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we present an analysis of prospectively gathered data collected at a single tertiary university hospital from 19 April to 19 May 2020. We included 13 pregnant women hospitalized with suspected COVID-19. Results of laboratory tests, imaging tests, and nucleic acid tests on vaginal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 were also analyzed for pregnant women with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19. Results: Twelve pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19 were included in this study. Mean age was 32 ± 7.9 years. All patients had mild symptoms and were followed in the maternity ward, with none of them needing critical care unit follow-up. All lower genital tract samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion: We demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 was not present in the vaginal fluid of pregnant women. This finding may indicate that the female genital tract is not a route of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

A comprehensive review of the impact of COVID-19 on human reproductive biology, assisted reproduction care and pregnancy: a Canadian perspective

“…Three studies examined female genital tract secretions for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, showing consistent results [73][74][75]. Aslan et al [73] included 12 pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19 and moderate symptoms. Vaginal swabs were obtained during the hospitalization period.…”

“…Vaginal swabs were obtained during the hospitalization period. All lower genital tract samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2 [73]. Qiu et al analyzed vaginal samples of 10 women with severe COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to an ICU.…”

Detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in vaginal swabs of women with acute SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: a prospective study

“…5 However, our findings contradict previous reports, which did not detect the presence of viral colonization in the vagina. [9][10][11] This discrepancy can be explained by the small number of cases in each group. Since we assume that vaginal colonization of SARS-CoV-2 has relatively low incidence, larger studies are required to confirm our findings.…”

Hysteroscopy and COVID-19: Have recommended techniques changed due to the pandemic?

“…Hysteroscopy has the theoretical risks of viral dissemination when performed in COVID- 19 Recent studies have confirmed the presence of viral particles in urine, feces, blood, and tears in addition to the respiratory tract in patients infected with COVID-19. 3,14,15 The presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the female genital system is currently unknown. Previous studies, of other epidemic viral infections, have demonstrated the presence of the virus in the female genital tract in affected patients of Zika virus and Ebola.…”

“…Previous studies, of other epidemic viral infections, have demonstrated the presence of the virus in the female genital tract in affected patients of Zika virus and Ebola. 16,17 However, 2 recent studies have failed to demonstrate the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the vaginal fluid of pregnant 14 and not pregnant 18 women with severe COVID-19 infection.…”