The Histopathological “Placentitis Triad” Is Specific for SARS-CoV-2 Infection, and Its Acute Presentation Can Be Associated with Poor Fetal Outcome

Abstract

(1) Background: Placental histological lesions reported in relation with SARS-CoV-2 infection are various, with potential consequences such as fetal growth retardation, prematurity or stillbirth/neonatal death. We report here on a placental pathological association which could be specific for SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated with poor fetal outcome; (2) Methods: We collected all the placental pathological examinations performed in Brest University Hospital (France) since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic with a known maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection and a poor pregnancy outcome. In these cases, we described the pathological lesions and we searched for these lesions in a large series of placentas collected and examined in the same institution before the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic; (3) Results: Three cases with severe fetal outcome (tardive abortion, prematurity, neonatal death), from the first to the third trimesters of pregnancy, were included. The three cases showed features of massive and acute “placentitis triad” consisting in massive perivillous fibrin deposition, sub-acute intervillositis and trophoblastic necrosis. This association was not encountered in any of 8857 placentas analyzed during the period between 2002 and 2012 in our institution; (4) Conclusions: The “placentitis triad” appears to be specific for SARS-CoV-2 infection and, in case of massive and acute presentation, could result in poor fetal outcome.