RIRCA Highlights Insights on Maternal CMV and HIV Interplay – The Reproductive Immunology Research Consortium in Africa
The Reproductive Immunology Research Consortium in Africa shared a post on LinkedIn about a paper by Brandon Paarwater et al. published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B:
“Just published! ‘Joining the dots: maternal cytomegalovirus, HIV and the placenta.’
We’re excited to share a new RIRCA-led opinion piece in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B.
This article explores how maternal CMV–HIV co-infection during pregnancy may disrupt immune balance at the maternal–feotal interface, with knock-on effects for infant immunity, especially in HIV-exposed uninfected newborns (HEUs).
The concept of ‘vertical transmission of inflammation’ is introduced, where maternal immune activation (even without viral transmission) can influence birth outcomes through placental dysfunction.
RIRCA members who co-authored this work: Brandon Paarwater, Doty Ojwach, Nicole Prins, Clive M Gray and Helen Payne.
Alongside a brilliant international team across South Africa, the USA, and the UK.
Read the open-access article.
Part of the special issue: The indirect effects of cytomegalovirus infection: mechanisms and consequences.”
Title: Joining the dots: maternal cytomegalovirus, HIV and the placenta
Authors: Brandon Paarwater, Doty Ojwach, Nicole Prins, Rana Chakraborty, Erica Johnson, Viviane Schuch, Mark R. Schleiss, Clive M. Gray, Helen Payne
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