부산대학교 도서관

Maternal infections during pregnancy can potentially cause birth defects and severe adverse effects in infants. From 2017 to 2018, we investigated the seroprevalence of five antibodies among 436 mother-infant pairs enrolled in a pregnancy cohort study in Coatepeque, Guatemala. Upon enrollment (< 20 weeks gestational age) and shortly after delivery, we measured the prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), rubella, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in mothers and newborns and used rapid tests to detect HIV and syphilis (Treponema pallidum) in mothers. The mean cohort age was 24.5 years. Maternal T. gondii IgM and IgG seropositivity was 1.9% and 69.7%, respectively. No women were positive for HIV, syphilis, or rubella IgM. Maternal rubella IgG seropositivity was 80.8% and significantly increased with age. Maternal CMV IgM and IgG seropositivity were 2.3% and 99.5%, respectively. Of the 323 women tested at both timepoints, IgM reactivation occurred in one woman for T. gondii infection and in eight for CMV. No newborn was seropositive for CMV IgM or rubella IgM. One newborn was seropositive for T. gondii IgM. Congenital T. gondii and CMV infections are important public health issues for pregnant women, newborns, and healthcare providers in Coatepeque and Guatemala. Author summary: Some infections in pregnant women, known as congenital infections, can result in birth defects and harm in newborns. Adverse outcomes from these infections could include smaller than normal head sizes, other physical abnormalities, low birth weights, preterm births, developmental disabilities, stillbirths, and deaths. During the Zika virus epidemic in 2016, it was discovered that Zika virus is a congenital infection resulting in a global public health emergency. As part of our Zika study in Coatepeque, Guatemala in 2017–2018 we wanted to describe if pregnant women had other congenital infections, namely toxoplasmosis, other pathogens (i.e., syphilis, HIV), rubella, and cytomegalovirus. These are priority pathogens for maternal and child health and the Guatemalan Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, and in this region, information is scarce about how common these congenital infections are (with exception of syphilis and HIV that are routinely screened for). Our study aims to provide data that can help inform public health authorities to implement prevention activities and establish other policies for public health practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]