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Travel Med Infect Dis 2019 Jan - Feb;27:117-118. Epub 2018 Oct 26.

Tropical Disease Unit, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Health Network-Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Public Health Ontario Laboratories, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Canada. Electronic address:

Clin Invest Med 2019 Jan 30;41(4):E211-E212. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC.

Congenital infectious diseases, transmitted during the course of pregnancy, are estimated to affect nearly one in every hundred births worldwide. These infections may be associated with fetal and infant adverse health outcomes, due to congenital malformations caused by in utero transmission of the infectious organism itself (as is the case with cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, syphilis and Zika virus), or due to chronic infection in the infant (as is the case with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] and hepatitis B and C). In addition, children who are exposed, yet uninfected, may still suffer from the consequences of exposure to infectious pathogens or to the drugs given to treat pregnant women and prevent in utero transmission (as may be the case with HIV infection). Read More

Immunity 2019 Jan 30. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address:

Zika virus (ZIKV) has recently been associated with birth defects and pregnancy loss after maternal infection. Because dengue virus (DENV) and ZIKV co-circulate, understanding the role of antibody-dependent enhancement in the context of pregnancy is critical. Here, we showed that the presence of DENV-specific antibodies in ZIKV-infected pregnant mice significantly increased placental damage, fetal growth restriction, and fetal resorption. Read More

Curr Opin Infect Dis 2019 Feb 4. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Health Emergencies Program, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.

Purpose Of Review: We review antivirals inhibiting subunits of the influenza polymerase complex that are advancing in clinical development.

Recent Findings: Favipiravir, pimodivir, and baloxavir are inhibitory in preclinical models for influenza A viruses, including pandemic threat viruses and those resistant to currently approved antivirals, and two (favipiravir and baloxavir) also inhibit influenza B viruses. All are orally administered, although the dosing regimens vary. Read More

Clin Infect Dis 2019 Jan 28. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, CA.

Background: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) chronic prevalence among pregnant women in the United States (U.S.) U. Read More

Acta Trop 2019 Jan 24;192:49-54. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Laboratório Multiusuário de Apoio à Pesquisa em Nefrologia e Ciências Médicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil; Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil. Electronic address:

Background: Arboviruses (Zika, dengue and chikungunya) represent a major risk for pregnant women, especially because their vertical transmission can lead to neurological damage in newborns. Early diagnosis can be difficult due to similar clinical presentation with other congenital infections that are associated with congenital abnormalities.

Objectives: To investigate the circulation of arboviruses and other pathogens responsible for congenital infections, reporting clinical aspects and geographic distribution of maternal rash in a metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019 Jan 25;13(1):e0007060. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Viral Diseases Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States of America.

Zika virus (ZIKV) recently caused a pandemic complicated by Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and birth defects. ZIKV is structurally similar to the dengue viruses (DENV) and in vitro studies suggest antibody dependent enhancement occurs in ZIKV infections preceded by DENV; however, the clinical significance of this remains unclear. We undertook a PRISMA-adherent systematic review of all current human and non-human primate (NHP) data to determine if prior infection with DENV, compared to DENV-naïve hosts, is associated with a greater risk of ZIKV clinical complications or greater ZIKV peak viremia in vivo. Read More

Med Lett Drugs Ther 2019 Jan 14;61(1563):e11-e12. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Med Lett Drugs Ther 2019 Jan 14;61(1563):e8-e10. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Med Lett Drugs Ther 2019 Jan;61(1563):1-4

Zhonghua Gan Zang Bing Za Zhi 2018 Dec;26(12):945-950

Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, China.

To observe the efficacy and safety related measures by blocking mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus with high viral load and HBeAg positivity during pregnancy in Guizhou province. Outpatient and inpatient cases of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Obstetrics of Guizhou Medical University Affiliated Hospitals from May 2016 to July 2017 were retrospectively divided into intervention group, non-intervention group and non- hepatitis B pregnant women group; with 75 cases in each group. HBsAg and HBeAg were positive in the intervention group. Read More

Lupus 2019 Jan 20:961203318821176. Epub 2019 Jan 20.

3 Facultad de Medicina, División de Posgrado, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.

Objective: To analyze the utility of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) plus C-reactive protein (CRP) to differentiate between infection and active disease in patients with SLE.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of a cohort of patients with SLE was carried out. Blood samples from four groups (patients without infection or active disease, patients with infection, patients with active disease, and patients with both infection and active disease) before therapeutic interventions were analyzed. Read More

Adv Clin Exp Med 2019 Jan 17. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Department of Children's Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.

Background: Mother-to-child transmission is one of the main sources of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in children. However, because of the asymptomatic course of the illness, certain women may not be aware of their infection.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the significance of epidemiological anamnesis in diagnoses of HCV infection in women of reproductive age and to evaluate how screening among pregnant women impacts the detection of HCV infection. Read More

J Infect 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Gothenburg, 413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address:

Objectives: To study the frequency of vertically acquired occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI).

Methods: We investigated 44 children born to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive mothers. They received HBV vaccine directly after birth and at 2, 6 and 52 weeks of age; eight with HBeAg-positive mothers also received hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG). Read More

Med Lett Drugs Ther 2018 Dec 3;60(1561):e202-e204. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Med Lett Drugs Ther 2018 Dec;60(1561):193-196

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Jan;98(3):e12735

Department of Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, USA.

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies are common during pregnancy, especially in pregnant women from economically disadvantaged settings where diets with low content of minerals and vitamins are consumed. Selenium is a non-metallic chemical element of great importance to human health. This study will assess the effect of selenium supplementation on major pregnancy outcomes and disease progression among HIV-infected pregnant women in Lagos, Nigeria. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2018 Dec 7;1(8):e186529. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco.

Importance: Congenital Zika virus infection causes a spectrum of adverse birth outcomes, including severe birth defects of the central nervous system. The association of prenatal ultrasonographic findings with adverse neonatal outcomes, beyond structural anomalies such as microcephaly, has not been described to date.

Objective: To determine whether prenatal ultrasonographic examination results are associated with abnormal neonatal outcomes in Zika virus-affected pregnancies. Read More

Vet Microbiol 2019 Feb 28;229:130-137. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium. Electronic address:

In the past, bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) has been suggested to be associated with metritis and endometritis. However, not many field studies investigated the association between BoHV-4 and subclinical endometritis (SCE). In the present study, the association between the intrauterine presence of BoHV-4 and SCE diagnosed during artificial insemination (AI) was examined on two dairy farms in Belgium. Read More

Top Antivir Med 2019 Jan;26(4):112-116

University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a lifelong dynamic disease that can be controlled with treatment but cannot yet be cured. Risk of end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) increases with ongoing inflammation and HBV viremia. Initial treatments consist of tenofovir or entecavir. Read More

J Clin Virol 2019 Feb 7;111:42-47. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) flares have been reported due to alterations in the immune system during pregnancy. Recent studies in non-pregnant chronic hepatitis B (CHB) carriers have indicated that serum HBV RNA is a novel viral marker to assess treatment response and risk of disease flares.

Objectives: To analyze serum HBV RNA levels in association with established HBV markers in pregnant and/or post-partum CHB carriers. Read More

J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2019 Jan 8. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Université Paris-Sud, Clamart, France. Electronic address:

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the main cause of congenital viral infections. Current guidelines do not include any recommendation about antenatal treatment. Most studies that evaluate the efficacy of valaciclovir aim to treat infected symptomatic fetus but the benefit of anti-CMV therapy remains unclear. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Jan;98(2):e14014

Department of Medicine Kidney Center.

Rationale: Adult-onset hepatitis B virus-associated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (HBV-MPGN) is generally refractory, and an effective treatment for this condition has not been established. The indications for steroids in HBV-MPGN are an important clinical concern.

Patient Concerns: A 28-year-old woman with a chronic hepatitis B virus infection developed nephrotic syndrome in her second month of pregnancy, with urinary protein levels of 3 to 10 g/d that continued into her postpartum period. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2019 Jan 10;19(1):42. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

School of Rural Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Orange, NSW, Australia.

Background: Influenza is a global infectious disease with a large burden of illness and high healthcare costs. Those who experience greater burden of disease include younger and older people, and pregnant women. Although there are known age and sex susceptibilities, little is known about how the interaction of age and sex may affect a population's vulnerability to infection with different subtypes of influenza virus. Read More

Neuroimmunomodulation 2018 10;25(5-6):320-327. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Genetics, Institute of Biosciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre,

The recent outbreak of the Zika virus (ZIKV) and the discovery that perinatal Zika exposure can lead to the Congenital Zika Syndrome has promoted a call for prevention measures. Due to the increased number of babies born with microcephaly, structural brain abnormalities, and neurological alterations in regions affected by ZIKV, investigations were carried out in order to better understand this process. The maternal immune system directly influences the fetal central nervous system, and complications during pregnancy have been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019 01 10;13(1):e0007086. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.

Introduction: Plasmodium spp. and helminths are co-endemic in many parts of the tropics; hence, co-infection is a common phenomenon. Interactions between Plasmodium and helminth infections may alter the host's immune response and susceptibility and thus impact on morbidity. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019 Jan 9:1-6. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

b Clinical Research Center, Fundación Valle Del Lili , Cali , Colombia.

Objective: There is lack of data on the management of severe dengue infection during labor. The objective of this study was to describe our experience in the management of preterm and term labor of pregnant patients with severe dengue infection and thrombocytopenia.

Materials And Methods: We describe patients with dengue infection confirmed by dengue serology or NS1 antigen in Cali, Colombia. Read More

Med Lett Drugs Ther 2018 Nov 19;60(1560):e192-e194. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Reprod Health 2019 Jan 8;16(1). Epub 2019 Jan 8.

International Research Center of Excellence, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.

Background: Nigeria has an annual population of ~ 200,000 women who are both pregnant and HIV-positive. High unmet need for family planning in this population could lead to unintended pregnancies, along with the increased risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT). To identify modifiable barriers and facilitators in effective family planning, we examined correlates of modern contraceptive use among HIV-positive women enrolled in the MoMent prevention of MTCT (PMTCT) implementation research study in rural North-Central Nigeria. Read More

Fertil Res Pract 2019 3;5. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal & Fetal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118 USA.

Background: Sexual transmission of Zika virus is well documented and pregnant women are advised to abstain or use barrier protection if a sexual partner has risk for Zika infection. However, to date there has not been a documented case of the congenital Zika syndrome resulting from sexual transmission.

Case Presentation: A 32 year-old woman who had not traveled to any area with local Zika transmission in years became pregnant via frozen embryo transfer. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 18;9:2960. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Department of Medicine, Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.

Early exposure to immune stimuli, including maternal infection during the perinatal period, is increasingly recognized to affect immune predisposition during later life. This includes exposure to not only viral and bacterial infection but also parasitic helminths which remain widespread. Noted effects of helminth infection, including altered incidence of atopic inflammation and vaccine responsiveness, support further research into the impact these infections have for skewing immune responses. Read More

J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2019 Jan 7. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

3 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Faculty Office Building, Atlanta, Georgia.

Background: Multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) are being developed to simultaneously protect women from unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or human immunodeficiency virus. This study aims to determine MPT characteristics desired by young women in the United States (U.S. Read More

Mol Psychiatry 2019 Jan 4. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Basic Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.

Immune activation during pregnancy via infection or autoimmune disease is a risk factor for neuropsychiatric illness. Mouse models of prenatal immune activation often involve maternal administration of agents that activate toll-like receptors (TLRs), a class of pattern recognition receptors that initiate innate immune responses. Such studies have focused primarily on activating the TLR3 or TLR4 subtypes, to mimic immune responses to viral or bacterial infections, respectively. Read More

Tex Med 2018 Dec 1;114(12):47. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

The virus that causes rubella often appears deceptively mild - so mild in fact that one-quarter to half of people infected with it will have no symptoms at all, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Vaccination is the best protection. Read More

J Sch Health 2019 Feb;89(2):106-114

Department of Health and Human Performance, Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666.

Background: Violent behaviors have devastating impacts on youth and adolescents. National standards offer a framework for age and developmentally appropriate health education expectations. This study provides findings from a systematic review and analysis of teen dating violence (TDV) prevention curricula using National Sexuality Education Standards (NSES) and National Health Education Standards (NHES). Read More

Vet Microbiol 2019 Jan 6;228:1-6. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.

This study tested for association between bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDv) and cervid herpesvirus type-1 (CvHV-1) exposure and abortion in New Zealand farmed red deer. Rising two-year-old (R2, n = 22,130) and mixed-age (MA, n = 36,223) hinds from 87 and 71 herds, respectively, throughout New Zealand were pregnancy tested using ultrasound early in gestation (Scan-1) and 55-89 days later (Scan-2) to detect mid-term abortion. Sera from aborted and non-aborted hinds at Scan-2 were tested for BVDv and CvHV-1 using virus neutralisation tests. Read More

Hum Reprod 2018 Dec 24. Epub 2018 Dec 24.

Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine; Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology; Laboratories of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Ferrara, 64/B, Fossato di Mortara Street, Ferrara, Italy.

Study Question: Are JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) and BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) infections associated with spontaneous abortion (SA)?

Summary Answer: There is no association of JCPyV or BKPyV with SA.

What Is Known Already: A large number of risk factors have been associated with SA. The role of polyomaviruses, including JCPyV and BKPyV, in SA remains to be clarified. Read More

J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc 2018 Dec;7(suppl_2):S60-S66

Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In utero infection with Zika virus (ZIKV) during pregnancy can lead to the development of birth defects and postnatal deficits. A nonhuman primate (NHP) model of congenital ZIKV infection can help fill the gaps in knowledge where tissue studies are required to define viral pathogenesis and identify targets for therapeutic intervention. This model system has already identified critical features of ZIKV pathogenesis in congenital infection. Read More

P R Health Sci J 2018 Dec;37(Special Issue):S66-S72

Maternal-Infant Studies Center (CEMI).

The world has encountered a new and serious epidemic which has disproportionately affected fetuses and infants. What makes the Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic such a threat in our times, is that a whole generation can be affected by birth defects caused by a seemingly innocuous maternal infection, which in most cases go unnoticed and undiagnosed. Spreading to over 80 countries and affecting millions, it is associated with severe birth defects known as congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), which include fetal brain development abnormalities (microcephaly and brain calcifications), retinal abnormalities, and contractures and hypertonia of the extremities. Read More

N Engl J Med 2018 12;379(24):2377-2379

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.

Pan Afr Med J 2018 31;30:239. Epub 2018 Jul 31.

Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.

Introduction: Success in addressing prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV depends largely on good adherence to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) by pregnant women. Knowledge of the levels of ART adherence among pregnant women is essential to inform strategies to prevent or reduce HIV transmission rates, particularly in African settings. Aim: the primary objective of this study was to measure adherence to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) among pregnant women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Read More

Front Immunol 2018 6;9:2880. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.

Heterologous immunity of virus-specific T cells poses a potential barrier to transplantation tolerance. Cross-reactivity to HLA-A and -B molecules has broadly been described, whereas responses to allo-HLA-C have remained ill defined. In contrast to the transplant setting, HLA-C is the only polymorphic HLA molecule expressed by extravillous trophoblasts at the maternal-fetal interface during pregnancy. Read More

PLoS Pathog 2018 12 20;14(12):e1007487. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan.

Cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) encode cellular homologs to evade host immune functions. In this study, we analyzed the roles of GP33, a guinea pig CMV (GPCMV)-encoded G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) homolog, in cellular signaling, viral growth and pathogenesis. The cDNA structure of GP33 was determined by RACE. Read More

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2018 Dec 20;61:e4. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

Instituto Butantan, Divisão de Ensaios Clínicos e Farmacovigilância, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Vaccination has been a successful strategy in influenza prevention. However, despite the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, they can cause adverse events following immunization (AEFI). Moreover, due to the vaccination success, most of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) have become rare, and public attention has been shifted from VPD to the AEFI associated with vaccination. Read More

Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) 2018 12;64(12):1060

Visiting professor, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.

Ann Pharmacother 2018 Dec 17:1060028018817935. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

1 University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, Columbia, SC, USA.

Objective: To review the treatment of common bacterial and viral infections occurring in the pregnant patient.

Data Sources: A literature search of MEDLINE was performed (inception to October 2018). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website was utilized for additional information. Read More

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018 Dec 14;67(49):1372-1373. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Acute Communicable Disease Control Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, California.

Sante Publique 2018 May June;30(3):397-403

Introduction: The failure of pregnant women to disclose their HIV serological status to the those around her, especially the father of the unborn child, can be a barrier to preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. In this context, the present study was designed to determine the proportion of women who failed to disclose their HIV status to their spouses and the factors associated with this non-disclosure.

Patients And Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study was conducted from 1 February to 30 May 2017. Read More

Sci Adv 2018 Dec 5;4(12):eaau9812. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) infections in pregnant livestock cause high rates of fetal demise; miscarriage in pregnant women has also been associated with RVFV infection. To address how RVFV infection during pregnancy causes detrimental effects on the fetus, we developed a pregnant rodent model of RVFV infection. We found that pregnant rats were more susceptible to RVFV-induced death than their nonpregnant counterparts and that RVFV infection resulted in intrauterine fetal death and severe congenital abnormalities, even in pups from infected asymptomatic pregnant rats. Read More

Reprod Health 2018 Dec 6;15(1):200. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA, USA.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection plays key role in the development of cervical cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate socioeconomic and lifestyle factors associated with HPV infection in pregnant women in Beijing, China.

Methods: An age matched case-control study designed with 66 women as the case group (HPV positive) and 132 women as the control group (HPV negative) was carried out in two hospitals in Beijing. Read More