Routes of Human CMV Transmission and Infection at the Uterine-Placental Interface
Lenore Pereira, Ekaterina Maidji, Susan McDonagh and Takako Yamamoto -Tabata
from: Cytomegaloviruses: Molecular Biology and Immunology (Edited by: Matthias J. Reddehase). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2006)
Abstract
Congenital CMV infection affects 1-3% of babies in the United States annually, causing mortality and permanent disabilities. CMV infection of the placenta precedes virus transmission to the fetus and is linked to unusual cytotrophoblast interactions at the uterine-placental interface. Differentiating cytotrophoblasts invade the uterus, establish blood flow to the placenta, and share properties with endothelial and immune cells. Routes of virus transmission indicate that CMV infects the uterine wall and vasculature and spreads to invasive cytotrophoblasts. We summarize our understanding of the routes of infection and dysregulated functions in the developing human placenta read more ...
