Project Details

Immune responses during primary CMV infection in pregnancy that correlate with viral containment

Frances Saccoccio, MD, PhD

Summary

BACKGROUND: Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common infectious case of birth defects in the US, affecting 1:150 births each year. CMV infection leads to placental transmission in 30-40% of cases of primary infection versus approximately 3% in cases of CMV reinfection, suggesting that maternal CMV infection is partially protective against congenital CMV transmission. GAP: A major research gap impeding congenital CMV vaccine development is a poor understanding of the protective maternal immune responses that are associated with protection against both CMV acquisition and placental transmission. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesize that high levels of CMV-specific humoral immune responses will correlate with rapid containment of viral replication. METHODS: Immune correlates of rapid control of viremia will be determined in a cohort of women and infants with primary CMV infection. RESULTS: Pending IMPACT: Identification of immune correlates of CMV protective immune responses will lead to identification of new CMV vaccine targets to guide CMV immunogen design and vaccine trial endpoints. Website Link: https://www.permarlabatduke.com/

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