Pediatrics

Biography

Biography: Professor Lawrence Dean Frenkel

Abstract

The main pathogens associated with congenital infection and affliction,  with a focus on Zika virus, which are often manifest with microcephaly are briefly reviewed.  Aspects of maternal infection are noted.  The epidemiology and manifestations of infections in non-pregnant hosts, the pregnant woman, and in the fetus are described.  The pathology of microcephaly is reviewed in detail with a discussion of the neuropathogenesis of congenital Zika virus infection.  Further, the innate and adaptive immune mechanisms in the pregnant woman and fetus, including changes at the maternal-fetal interface and induction of fetal tolerance will be described.  Finally hypotheses which might explain why:  some infants are not infected in the presence of primary maternal infection, while others acquire subclinical infection, but still others are severely afflicted, are discussed.  These hypotheses include pathogen strain differences, tropism to developing fetal tissues, the role of various subsets of maternal immunity, and aspects of fetal immune responses.