Publications by authors named "Megana Shivakumar"
Background: People living with HIV (PLHIV) may have concurrent Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection, and certain antiretroviral therapies are recommended for HBV-HIV co-infected individuals. Routine screening for Hepatitis B virus may influence management of antiretroviral therapy for PLHIV, but risk factors for co-infection have not been well defined. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for HBV infection among PLHIV in South Africa.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInfections and inflammation during pregnancy or early life can alter child neurodevelopment and increase the risk for structural brain abnormalities and mental health disorders. There is strong evidence that TORCH infections (i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFViral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF) are endemic to Africa, South America and Asia and contribute to significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Viruses causing VHFs are typically zoonotic, spreading to humans through livestock, wildlife, or mosquito vectors. Some of the most lethal VHF viruses also impart a high-risk of stillbirth including ebolaviruses, Marburg virus (MARV), Lassa virus (LASV), and Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - Group B streptococci (GBS) can lead to serious issues like preterm birth and invasive diseases in newborns, showing varied virulence that helps them adapt between harmless and invasive forms.
- - A study of 229 GBS isolates from pregnant women and neonates identified specific traits, including hemolysis and certain gene variants, that correlate with increased virulence, particularly a high Granada pigment score.
- - High hyaluronidase activity was found in some isolates, notably those from stillbirth cases, suggesting a potential link between this enzyme and increased risks of severe perinatal outcomes.