The limited knowledge of placental damage due to neglected infections: ongoing problems in Latin America

MORETI RIBEIRO ISABEL; LOPEZ LIRA TANABE E; BUENO J; AYALA RAMIREZ P; DAMIANO ALICIA; LIMA VV; SOUZA SOUTO PAULA; CADAVID ANGELA; AGUDELO O; SACERDOTI FLAVIA; IBARRA CRISTINA; GIACHINI FERNANDO; BORBELY ALEXANDRE; ALVAREZ AM; GARCIA ROBLES R; SZASZ THEODORA ; ESCUDERO CARLOS

SYSTEMS BIOLOGY IN REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE

INFORMA HEALTHCARE

Lugar: London; Año: 2020 vol. 66 p. 151 - 169

1939-6368

The placenta works as a selective barrier, protecting the fetus from potential infections that may affect the maternal organism during pregnancy. In this review, we will discuss several challenging infections that are common within Latin American countries and that may affect the maternal-fetal interface and pose risks to fetal development. Specifically, we will focus on emerging infectious diseases including the arboviruses, malaria, leishmaniasis, and the bacterial foodborne disease caused by Shiga toxinproducing Escherichia coli. We will also highlight some topics of interest currently being studied by research groups that comprise an international effort aimed at filling the knowledge gaps in this field. These topics address the relationship between exposure to microorganisms and placental abnormalities, congenital anomalies, and complications of pregnancy.