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Malaria in pregnancy: getting to grips with a sticky problem

J C Reeder1

  • 1Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.

Papua and New Guinea Medical Journal
|June 29, 2001
PubMed

In malaria-endemic areas, by young adulthood people have developed functional immunity to malaria. However, during pregnancy this immunity is breached and infection occurs, leading to increased risks for mother and child. In the past this effect has been attributed to nonspecific immunosuppression, but recent research has revealed a specific pathogenic mechanism, involving the adherence of rare parasite variants to the placenta. This commentary explores the current state of research in this area and proposes a model of immune evasion and placental colonization. This model points the way to the development of future therapeutic interventions.

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