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Journals
Viruses
Special Issues
Mother to Child Transmission of Viral Infections
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Mother to Child Transmission of Viral Infections

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Virology and Viral Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2024 | Viewed by 3879

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Kazuo Itabashi
*
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Aiseikai Memorial Ibaraki Welfare and Medical Center, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan
Interests: HTLV-1 mother-to child transmission (screening and preventive measures)
* PhD
Prof. Dr. Hiroyuki Moriuchi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
Interests: cytomegalovirus infections; rubella virus; pregnancy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of viral infections causes significant morbidity and mortality in children, and the socioeconomic burden of this phenomenon is substantial. Maternal screening is an accepted component of several strategies for the prevention of congenital and neonatal viral infections. For example, pregnant women are tested for hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, HIV, human T-cell leukemia virus type I, and rubella virus during antenatal checkups in Japan. Neonatal screening, either targeted or universal, has been implemented for cytomegalovirus in some areas of Europe and North America. Although we have seen marked improvements in our understanding of epidemiological features, there remain many issues to be resolved in the development of diagnostic measures and preventive and therapeutic strategies for several vertical viral infections. Particularly pressing are the challenges of MTCT due to endemic viruses (e.g., Zika virus) and newly emerging viruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-2). The goal of this Special Issue of Viruses is to explore new advances in the study of the MTCT of viral infections. We invite original research and review articles on the pathogenesis and prevention of MTCT of viral infections. Topics of interest regarding MTCT include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

  • pathogenesis and defense mechanisms;
  • screening strategies expected to be introduced;
  • preventive measures;
  • therapeutic agents expected to be introduced.

Dr. Kazuo Itabashi
Prof. Dr. Hiroyuki Moriuchi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Viruses is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • antenatal/neonatal screening
  • antiviral drugs/agents
  • mother-to-child transmission
  • pathogenesis
  • prevention

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 632 KiB  
Article
A Birth Cohort Follow-Up Study on Congenital Zika Virus Infection in Vietnam
by Michiko Toizumi, Cuong Nguyen Vu, Hai Thi Huynh, Masafumi Uematsu, Vy Thao Tran, Hien Minh Vo, Hien Anh Thi Nguyen, Mya Myat Ngwe Tun, Minh Xuan Bui, Duc Anh Dang, Hiroyuki Moriuchi and Lay-Myint Yoshida
Viruses 2023, 15(9), 1928; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15091928 - 15 Sep 2023
Viewed by 945
Abstract
We assessed the development, sensory status, and brain structure of children with congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection (CZI) at two years and preschool age. CZI was defined as either ZIKV RNA detection or positive ZIKV IgM and neutralization test in the cord or [...] Read more.
We assessed the development, sensory status, and brain structure of children with congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection (CZI) at two years and preschool age. CZI was defined as either ZIKV RNA detection or positive ZIKV IgM and neutralization test in the cord or neonatal blood. Twelve children with CZI born in 2017–2018 in Vietnam, including one with Down syndrome, were assessed at 23–25.5 months of age, using Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3), ASQ:Social-Emotional (ASQ:SE-2), Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, automated auditory brainstem response (AABR), and Spot Vision Screener (SVS). They underwent brain CT and MRI. They had detailed ophthalmological examinations, ASQ-3, and ASQ:SE-2 at 51–62 months of age. None had birthweight or head circumference z-score < −3 except for the one with Down syndrome. All tests passed AABR (n = 10). No ophthalmological problems were detected by SVS (n = 10) and detailed examinations (n = 6), except for a girl’s astigmatism. Communication and problem-solving domains in a boy at 24 months, gross-motor area in a boy, and gross-motor and fine-motor areas in another boy at 59–61 months were in the referral zone. Brain CT (n = 8) and MRI (n = 6) revealed no abnormalities in the cerebrum, cerebellum, or brainstem other than cerebellar hypoplasia with Down syndrome. The CZI children were almost age-appropriately developed with no brain or eye abnormalities. Careful and longer follow-up is necessary for children with CZI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mother to Child Transmission of Viral Infections)
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16 pages, 1753 KiB  
Article
Maternal Th17 Profile after Zika Virus Infection Is Involved in Congenital Zika Syndrome Development in Children
by Eder M. S. Fialho, Emanoel M. Veras, Caroline M. de Jesus, Líllian N. Gomes, Ricardo Khouri, Patrícia S. Sousa, Marizélia R. C. Ribeiro, Rosângela F. L. Batista, Luciana C. Costa, Flávia R. F. Nascimento, Antônio A. M. Silva and Paulo V. Soeiro-Pereira
Viruses 2023, 15(6), 1320; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15061320 - 04 Jun 2023
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Abstract
Brazil is one of the countries that experienced an epidemic of microcephaly and other congenital manifestations related to maternal Zika virus infection which can result in Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). Since the Zika virus can modulate the immune system, studying mothers’ and children’s [...] Read more.
Brazil is one of the countries that experienced an epidemic of microcephaly and other congenital manifestations related to maternal Zika virus infection which can result in Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). Since the Zika virus can modulate the immune system, studying mothers’ and children’s immune profiles become essential to better understanding CZS development. Therefore, we investigated the lymphocyte population profile of children who developed CZS and their mothers’ immune response in this study. The study groups were formed from the Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) (CZS+ group) result. To evaluate the lymphocyte population profile, we performed phenotyping of peripheral lymphocytes and quantification of serum cytokine levels. The immunophenotyping and cytokine profile was correlated between CSZ+ children and their mothers. Both groups exhibited increased interleukin-17 levels and a reduction in the subpopulation of CD4+ T lymphocytes. In contrast, the maternal group showed a reduction in the population of B lymphocytes. Thus, the development of CZS is related to the presence of an inflammatory immune profile in children and their mothers characterized by Th17 activation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mother to Child Transmission of Viral Infections)
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Review

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11 pages, 1545 KiB  
Review
Measures for the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Transmission in Japan: The Burdens of HTLV-1-Infected Mothers
by Kaoru Uchimaru and Kazuo Itabashi
Viruses 2023, 15(10), 2002; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15102002 - 26 Sep 2023
Viewed by 881
Abstract
The main mode of mother-to-child transmission of the human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV)-1 is through breastfeeding. Although the most reliable nutritional regimen to prevent HTLV-1 transmission is exclusive formula feeding, a recent meta-analysis revealed that short-term breastfeeding within 90 days does not increase [...] Read more.
The main mode of mother-to-child transmission of the human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV)-1 is through breastfeeding. Although the most reliable nutritional regimen to prevent HTLV-1 transmission is exclusive formula feeding, a recent meta-analysis revealed that short-term breastfeeding within 90 days does not increase the risk of infection. The protocol of the Japanese Health, Labor, and Welfare Science Research Group primarily recommended exclusive formula feeding for mothers who are positive for HTLV-1. However, there has been no quantitative research on the difficulties experienced by HTLV-1-positive mothers in carrying out these nutritional regimens, including the psychological burden. Therefore, this review was performed to clarify the burdens and difficulties encountered by mothers who are positive for HTLV-1; to this end, we analyzed the data registrants on the HTLV-1 career registration website “Carri-net” website. The data strongly suggest that it is not sufficient to simply recommend exclusive formula feeding or short-term breastfeeding as a means of preventing mother-to-child transmission; it is important for health care providers to understand that these nutritional regimens represent a major burden for pregnant women who are positive for HTLV-1 and to provide close support to ensure these women’s health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mother to Child Transmission of Viral Infections)
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