It is widely known that pathogenic microorganisms can reach the maternal-fetal interface through several ways and, consequently, invade the placental membrane and spread to the fetal/embryonic tissues. Among them, we can highlight viruses, bacteria, and protozoans, as the acronym TORCH denotes Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes virus. Due to the immaturity of the immunological system of infants, there is a risk for postnatally acquired infections with viruses and several bacteria. It is possible to see that viruses, such as Zika virus, and protozoans, such as Toxoplasma, Trypanosoma, and Plasmodium, can infect the placenta and trigger severe symptoms, in addition to miscarriage, embryonic reabsorption, and low birth weight, among other consequences. Considering that these pathogens are a public health problem around the world, especially in non-developing countries, it is mandatory to understand the interaction of these microorganisms with the placenta in order to establish alternatives for diagnosis, treatment, and vaccines.
Many types of classical drugs are used to reduce or minimize the placental infection triggered by pathogens of congenital importance. However, regarding protozoans, these drugs are not effective in the chronic stage of the disease; there are many strains resistant to them, and a major number of these medications can cause complications to pregnancy success. There are not enough studies to guarantee the security of their use during pregnancy. Thus, it is mandatory to understand the interaction of these microorganisms with the placenta to establish alternatives for diagnosis, treatment, and vaccines with no complications for pregnancy success.
This Research Topic encourages the submission of manuscripts covering aspects of pathogens with potential congenital effects. The types of manuscripts can be original research, brief reports, or reviews. The bullet points below define some suggested aspects to approach in the manuscripts, but are not limited to:
• Parasite-host interaction in the placental environment.
• New alternatives for diagnosis of infectious diseases in the placental environment.
• New alternatives for treatment or prevention of infectious diseases in the placental environment.
• Immune response triggered by pathogens of congenital importance.
Keywords:
Toxoplasma gondii, Pathogens, congenital infection, placenta, trophoblast, pregnancy, diagnosis, treatment, vaccines, immune response, parasite-host interaction., Trypanosoma, Plasmodium, Zika virus, TORCH
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
It is widely known that pathogenic microorganisms can reach the maternal-fetal interface through several ways and, consequently, invade the placental membrane and spread to the fetal/embryonic tissues. Among them, we can highlight viruses, bacteria, and protozoans, as the acronym TORCH denotes Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes virus. Due to the immaturity of the immunological system of infants, there is a risk for postnatally acquired infections with viruses and several bacteria. It is possible to see that viruses, such as Zika virus, and protozoans, such as Toxoplasma, Trypanosoma, and Plasmodium, can infect the placenta and trigger severe symptoms, in addition to miscarriage, embryonic reabsorption, and low birth weight, among other consequences. Considering that these pathogens are a public health problem around the world, especially in non-developing countries, it is mandatory to understand the interaction of these microorganisms with the placenta in order to establish alternatives for diagnosis, treatment, and vaccines.
Many types of classical drugs are used to reduce or minimize the placental infection triggered by pathogens of congenital importance. However, regarding protozoans, these drugs are not effective in the chronic stage of the disease; there are many strains resistant to them, and a major number of these medications can cause complications to pregnancy success. There are not enough studies to guarantee the security of their use during pregnancy. Thus, it is mandatory to understand the interaction of these microorganisms with the placenta to establish alternatives for diagnosis, treatment, and vaccines with no complications for pregnancy success.
This Research Topic encourages the submission of manuscripts covering aspects of pathogens with potential congenital effects. The types of manuscripts can be original research, brief reports, or reviews. The bullet points below define some suggested aspects to approach in the manuscripts, but are not limited to:
• Parasite-host interaction in the placental environment.
• New alternatives for diagnosis of infectious diseases in the placental environment.
• New alternatives for treatment or prevention of infectious diseases in the placental environment.
• Immune response triggered by pathogens of congenital importance.
Keywords:
Toxoplasma gondii, Pathogens, congenital infection, placenta, trophoblast, pregnancy, diagnosis, treatment, vaccines, immune response, parasite-host interaction., Trypanosoma, Plasmodium, Zika virus, TORCH
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.