Publications by authors named "Emile K Yuosembom"
Although mother-to-child transmission of HIV has dramatically declined, the number of in utero HIV-exposed, uninfected infants is on the increase. HIV-exposed infants are at an increased risk of mortality, morbidity and slower early growth than their non-HIV exposed counterparts. Maternal HIV increases the risk of having preterm deliveries, intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight babies.
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- HIV infection decreases the transfer of antibodies from mother to fetus, particularly affecting the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) specific to malaria and tetanus antigens in newborns.
- The study measured IgG levels in 107 mother-cord pairs, finding that HIV+ mothers had significantly lower IgG levels for certain antigens, and their neonates had reduced cord IgG.
- Maternal hypergammaglobulinemia was prevalent among HIV+ women and was linked to lower transplacental antibody transfer, suggesting it may contribute to the reduced antibody levels observed in their infants.
Background: Antigenic variation of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 is a key parasite mechanism for immune evasion and parasite survival. It is assumed that the number of parasites expressing the same var gene must reach high enough numbers before the host can produce detectable levels of antibodies (Ab) to the variant. VAR2CSA is a protein coded for by one of 60 var genes that is expressed on the surface of infected erythrocytes (IE) and mediates IE binding to the placenta.
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