Changes in immunoglobulin levels related to herpes simplex virus type 1 brain infection in pregnant mice.
J Neurovirol. 2007-01-01; 13(3): 233-241
DOI: 10.1080/13550280701308467
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1. J Neurovirol. 2007 Jun;13(3):233-41.
Changes in immunoglobulin levels related to herpes simplex virus type 1 brain
infection in pregnant mice.
Burgos JS(1), Ramirez C, Brachet A, Alfaro JM, Sastre I, Valdivieso F.
Author information:
(1)Departamento de Biología Molecular and Centro de Biología Molecular Severo
Ochoa (C.S.I.C.-U.A.M.), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.
Disseminated herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection during pregnancy is
poorly described even though it is associated with high maternal and fetal
morbidity and neonatal mortality in humans. In a previous paper using mice as a
model, the authors demonstrated that HSV-1 is transmitted hematogenously from
mother to offspring, the virus colonizing the central nervous system and
provoking high mortality. In the present study, viral DNA levels in latently
infected mothers were investigated during pregnancy and after delivery in mice.
Samples from different organs were obtained before gestation (latency), three
times during pregnancy (17, 4.5, and 1 day before delivery), and four times after
delivery (1 day, 1 week, 1 and 2 months). A dramatic decrease in viral DNA
concentration was observed during pregnancy, especially in the nervous system,
with postnatal recovery to latent levels. All the brain regions studied showed
similar trends. The viral copy numbers detected in mothers at delivery +1 day
were independent of viral inoculum size. The spread of the virus to the above
organs was examined immunohistochemically and, in general, more intense viral
staining was observed after delivery in each. Because immunoglobulin levels can
be modified by infections during pregnancy, the authors examined the levels of
specific HSV-1 antibodies. Variation in HSV-1 DNA concentration was found to be
associated with changes in the full spectrum of immunoglobulins (but especially
immunoglobulin M [IgM]) over pregnancy, whereas at delivery -1 day a significant
inverse relationship between immunoglobulins and HSV-1 DNA was observed. IgGs
provided protection during the postnatal phase.
DOI: 10.1080/13550280701308467
PMID: 17613713 [Indexed for MEDLINE]