Cytomegalovirus-specific, high-avidity IgG with neutralizing activity in maternal circulation enriched in the fetal bloodstream
N Nozawa, J Fang-Hoover, T Tabata, E Maidji… - Journal of clinical …, 2009 - Elsevier
BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the major cause of congenital infection and
disease leading to permanent birth defects. In about 35–40% of pregnant women with
primary CMV infection, virus crosses the placenta, resulting in the birth of congenitally
infected babies. In contrast, this happens in only 1–3% of seropositive women with strong
CMV-specific humoral immunity. Whether CMV reaches the fetus and disseminates depends
on the level of high-avidity antibodies in the maternal circulation and the passive immunity of …
disease leading to permanent birth defects. In about 35–40% of pregnant women with
primary CMV infection, virus crosses the placenta, resulting in the birth of congenitally
infected babies. In contrast, this happens in only 1–3% of seropositive women with strong
CMV-specific humoral immunity. Whether CMV reaches the fetus and disseminates depends
on the level of high-avidity antibodies in the maternal circulation and the passive immunity of …
