POS0078 PASSIVE MATERNAL IMMUNITY IN CHILDREN BORN TO WOMEN SUFFERING FROM RHEUMATIC DISEASE COMPARED TO HEALTHY CONTROLS
Authors: A. Puchner, H. Ramspeck, E. Simader, V. Falcone, V. Ritschl, P. Mandl, S. Blüml, D. Aletaha, K. Rosta
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> Rheumatic disorders often affect women in their childbearing age and are associated with various preconceptional and obstetrics complications. Immunological adaptations during pregnancy affects the course of autoimmune diseases, infections and might alter immunological response upon vaccinations. In the context of the SARS-CoV-2- pandemic, the question of vaccine efficacy in pregnant women suffering from rheumatic disease in comparison to healthy individuals became evident. <h3>Objectives:</h3> In the present study the acquired passive immunity of newborn of women suffering from rheumatic disease compared to healthy controls was explored. As reference to the newly established mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, passively acquired immunity was determined against conventional vaccines such as Varicella-Zoster-Virus and Rubella <h3>Methods:</h3> We recruited 36 pregnant women in their 3rd trimester of pregnancy between November 2021 and March 2022. The case group consisted of 11 pregnant women suffering from rheumatic disease and 25 healthy controls. Venous blood sampling was performed at the inclusion visit. Additionally, umbilical cord blood samples were collected postpartum. Antibody-titers were determined with Roche SARS-CoV-2 RBD ECLIA for SARS-CoV-2, and Kits by DiaSorin for VZV and Rubella in maternal and umbilical cord serum for both groups. <h3>Results:</h3> Antibody-titers against SARS-CoV-2 did not differ statistically significant between case and control group for both, maternal and umbilical cord serum. This shows that the vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 is equally effective during pregnancy for women suffering from rheumatic disorders as in healthy controls. Also, this case-control study was able to show that children born to women with rheumatic disease have robust passive maternal immunity. For Rubella, there was also no statistically significant difference for neither children nor women from either group. However, women suffering from rheumatic disease had significantly higher antibody-titers against VZV, which might be due to better preconceptional counseling and re-vaccination. This was also the case for the children, which is congruent with the detected higher maternal antibody titers. Maternal and umbilical cord serum antibody titers correlated positively in case of all detected antibodies, which suggests that that the titer in umbilical cord sera is dependent on maternal antibody- titers and not altered by the presence of the rheumatic disease. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> Vaccines during pregnancy are effective for women suffering from rheumatic disorders and their children (passive maternal immunity). <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> Antonia Puchner: None declared, Helene Ramspeck: None declared, Elisabeth Simader: None declared, Veronica Falcone: None declared, Valentin Ritschl: None declared, Peter Mandl: None declared, Stephan Blüml: None declared, Daniel Aletaha Abbvie, Amgen, Galapagos, Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, and Sandoz, Abbvie, Amgen, Galapagos, Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, and Sandoz, Abbvie, Amgen, Galapagos, Lilly, and Sanofi, Klara Rosta: None declared.