Recent emergence of Zika virus and its association with microcephaly in newborns emphasized the importance of understanding diseases that can be transferred vertically from mother to the fetus and alter fetal health. Viruses such as Zika, rubella, CMV, HIV and HSV all are now well known to influence fetal health and in some instances miscarriage and pregnancy termination is a risk. Our understanding of how immunity is modulated at the maternal-fetal interface and its role in the potential of these viruses to gain access to a usually sterile fetal environment is very limited. Moreover, these pathogens present as a spectrum of disease in fetuses and factors that determine severity, including the influence of immune modulation, are largely unknown. Recent studies have suggested the mother’s immunity including cytokines and antibodies can contribute to immune protection in the fetus and/or placenta.
In this collection, we welcome submission of Original Research, Case Reports, Perspectives and Review articles that study the immunological influences on vertical transfer of viral infection from mother to the fetus.
We encourage studies that cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
• Vertical transmission of Zika virus.
• Mechanisms of congenital birth defects that occur due to Zika virus infection and/or inflammation during pregnancy.
• Maternal and or fetal immunity that can influence the severity of fetal Zika virus disease.
• Vaccines or immune-modulatory therapeutics that could prevent transmission of Zika virus during pregnancy.
• We also welcome submissions that cover above mentioned aspects related to other equally important human viruses, such as CMV, HSV, rubella, HIV or human coronaviruses.
Recent emergence of Zika virus and its association with microcephaly in newborns emphasized the importance of understanding diseases that can be transferred vertically from mother to the fetus and alter fetal health. Viruses such as Zika, rubella, CMV, HIV and HSV all are now well known to influence fetal health and in some instances miscarriage and pregnancy termination is a risk. Our understanding of how immunity is modulated at the maternal-fetal interface and its role in the potential of these viruses to gain access to a usually sterile fetal environment is very limited. Moreover, these pathogens present as a spectrum of disease in fetuses and factors that determine severity, including the influence of immune modulation, are largely unknown. Recent studies have suggested the mother’s immunity including cytokines and antibodies can contribute to immune protection in the fetus and/or placenta.
In this collection, we welcome submission of Original Research, Case Reports, Perspectives and Review articles that study the immunological influences on vertical transfer of viral infection from mother to the fetus.
We encourage studies that cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
• Vertical transmission of Zika virus.
• Mechanisms of congenital birth defects that occur due to Zika virus infection and/or inflammation during pregnancy.
• Maternal and or fetal immunity that can influence the severity of fetal Zika virus disease.
• Vaccines or immune-modulatory therapeutics that could prevent transmission of Zika virus during pregnancy.
• We also welcome submissions that cover above mentioned aspects related to other equally important human viruses, such as CMV, HSV, rubella, HIV or human coronaviruses.
