The main objective of this project has been and will continue to be to perform prospective, longitudinal studies on the natural history of CMV infection in pregnant women, and their offspring to identify pathogenetic factors for intrauterine infection. Our current working hypotheses are that primary maternal infections are more likely to be associated with transmission of virus in utero and virulent fetal infections than are recurrent maternal infections, and that early gestational infections are more dangerous for the fetus than are later ones (Specific Aims 1 and 2). We now propose that CMV infection acquired in utero and in early infancy may predispose females to increased bouts of reactivated latent infections during childbearing years and account, in part, for increased frequency of congenital infection with recurrent maternal infection in low income populations (Specific Aim 3). We further propose that genetically controlled maternal factors, such as the amount of virus generated, with either primary or recurrent infections influence whether the placenta becomes infected and thereby whether the virus is transmitted in utero or not (Specific Aim 5). We also plan to investigate the role of the placenta as a barrier to intrauterine transmission of virus with primary maternal infection and as a possible modulator, along with maternal immunity, of the virulence of the fetal infection (Specific Aim 4).

Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
15
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Alabama Birmingham
Department
Type
DUNS #
004514360
City
Birmingham
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
35294
Pinninti, Swetha G; Rodgers, Mackenzie D; Novak, Zdenek et al. (2016) Clinical Predictors of Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Cognitive Outcome in Infants with Symptomatic Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection. Pediatr Infect Dis J 35:924-6
Dreher, A Mackenzie; Arora, Nitin; Fowler, Karen B et al. (2014) Spectrum of disease and outcome in children with symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection. J Pediatr 164:855-9
Rosenthal, Lauren Stancik; Fowler, Karen B; Boppana, Suresh B et al. (2009) Cytomegalovirus shedding and delayed sensorineural hearing loss: results from longitudinal follow-up of children with congenital infection. Pediatr Infect Dis J 28:515-20
Ross, Shannon A; Novak, Zdenek; Fowler, Karen B et al. (2009) Cytomegalovirus blood viral load and hearing loss in young children with congenital infection. Pediatr Infect Dis J 28:588-92
Ross, Shannon A; Novak, Zdenek; Kumbla, Rekha A et al. (2007) GJB2 and GJB6 mutations in children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection. Pediatr Res 61:687-91
Ross, Shannon A; Fowler, Karen B; Ashrith, Guha et al. (2006) Hearing loss in children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection born to mothers with preexisting immunity. J Pediatr 148:332-6
Pass, Robert F; Fowler, Karen B; Boppana, Suresh B et al. (2006) Congenital cytomegalovirus infection following first trimester maternal infection: symptoms at birth and outcome. J Clin Virol 35:216-20
Fowler, Karen B; Boppana, Suresh B (2006) Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and hearing deficit. J Clin Virol 35:226-31
Fowler, Karen B; Pass, Robert F (2006) Risk factors for congenital cytomegalovirus infection in the offspring of young women: exposure to young children and recent onset of sexual activity. Pediatrics 118:e286-92
Pryor, Shannon P; Demmler, Gail J; Madeo, Anne C et al. (2005) Investigation of the role of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in the etiology of enlarged vestibular aqueducts. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 131:388-92

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