Author Of 2 Presentations
P0939 - Antibody titters against EBV and HHV-6A/B and expression of MSRV ENV in the serum of pregnant multiple sclerosis patients (ID 1197)
Abstract
Background
Pregnancy is a special period within the clinical course of multiple sclerosis (MS), characterized by a reduction in the relapse rate and slower disease progression. On the contrary, during puerperium, relapse rate increases again. Viruses have been related to the etiopathogenesis of the disease, especially with disease activity.
Objectives
To analyse the serum antibody titters against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (EBNA-1 and VCA) and human herpesvirus 6 A/B (HHV-6A/B), as well as the expression of the envelope protein of the MS-associated retrovirus (MSRV ENV) in pregnant MS patients during pregnancy and postpartum. To study their possible relationship with the disease activity during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as their potential role in predicting the risk of relapses.
Methods
Serum samples were collected from 71 pregnant women, 50 with MS and 21 healthy controls, at every trimester of pregnancy and in the postpartum. Antibody titters against the above mentioned viruses were analysed by ELISA commercial kits, following manufacturer instructions; gene expression of MSRV ENV was analysed by qRT-PCR.
Results
IgM titres against HHV-6A/B were higher in MS patients than in healthy controls in the three trimesters of pregnancy and in the postpartum period (U-Mann Whitney): p =0.00001 for the first trimester; p=0.021 for the second trimester; p = 0.000005 for the third trimester; p =0.001, for the postpartum period). Furthermore, IgM titres against HHV-6A/B in the first trimester were higher in patients with relapses (U Mann Whitney, p = 0.052). Regarding the expression of MSRV ENV, the percentage of positivity during the first trimester was significantly higher in MS patients with relapses during pregnancy compared to those who did not (Fisher, p = 0.038).
Conclusions
High IgM titters against HHV-6A/B and the expression of MSRV ENV during the first trimester of pregnancy could act as predictors of relapse risk during pregnancy / postpartum. Although further studies are needed to validate these results, this study support the relation between viruses and relapses in pregnant MS patients.
P1138 - short-chain fatty acid during pregnancy in multiple sclerosis: a prospective cohort study (ID 1801)
Abstract
Background
Objective: Pregnancy reduces the annualized relapse rate (ARR) in multiple sclerosis (MS). However it is temporarily increased at puerperium. The exact mechanism underlying this clinical observation remains unknown.
Objectives
We aimed to explore the changes of the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) profiles in MS patients and healthy women (HCW) during pregnancy, and to assess any potential biomarker predicting the appearance of relapses during pregnancy and postpartum.
Methods
Methods: We included 53 pregnant MS patients and 21 HCW followed at Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón between 2007 and 2018. Patients were evaluated at every trimester of pregnancy and in the puerperium. Serum SCFAs were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
Results
Results: Seventeen patients (32%) experienced relapses during pregnancy or puerperium (ACT group) and 37(68%) did not (NO-ACT group). We did not found differences in clinical characteristics or treatment status between the two groups. We observed differences in the SCFAs profile between ACT:NO-ACT groups during pregnancy and puerperium. Acetate levels were higher during the pregnancy-puerperium period in MS patients, regardless of clinical activity, compared to HCW (p: 0.0001). Interestingly, levels of propionate and butyrate below 1,985 μM (1,283 - 3.55) and 0.515 μM (0.01-2.943) respectively during the first trimester were associated with relapses during the pregnancy-puerperium period (p: 0.0001). The ACT group had a lower ratio of propionate/acetate and butyrate/acetate during pregnancy compared to NO-ACT group (<0.0001). The ROC curve showed that a propionate/acetate ratio of 0.36 (AUC 0.96, sensitivity 94%, specificity 92%;) has an OR=165 [CI: 10.2-239.4], p <0.0001) to predict relapses during pregnancy-puerperium.
Conclusions
Conclusions: SCFA levels during pregnancy may be associated with clinical activity in MS, and that their measurement could be useful in predicting the occurrence of relapses during this pregnancy-puerperium period