Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Ex Vivo Infection of Human Lymphoid Tissue and Female Genital Mucosa with Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and Histoculture
Published on: October 12, 2018
Advances in the prevention of vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus
1Center for Research for Mothers and Children, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA. LM65D@nih.gov
The major mode of acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) for children is through mother-to-child transmission, which can occur during pregnancy or labor and delivery, or postnatally through breastfeeding. In resource-rich countries, mother-to-child HIV transmission has decreased to less than 2 percent after recommendations for universal prenatal HIV counseling and testing, antiretroviral prophylaxis and elective cesarean delivery, and avoidance of breastfeeding were implemented. In resource-limited settings, effective, shorter, and less expensive antiretroviral prophylaxis interventions also have been identified, but implementation has been slower, and continued transmission through breastfeeding remains a significant problem. This review summarizes recent advances made in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the United States and other resource-rich countries, as well as progress in resource-limited countries.
The major mode of acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) for children is through mother-to-child transmission, which can occur during pregnancy or labor and delivery, or postnatally through breastfeeding. In resource-rich countries, mother-to-child HIV transmission has decreased to less than 2 percent after recommendations for universal prenatal HIV counseling and testing, antiretroviral prophylaxis and elective cesarean delivery, and avoidance of breastfeeding were implemented. In resource-limited settings, effective, shorter, and less expensive antiretroviral prophylaxis interventions also have been identified, but implementation has been slower, and continued transmission through breastfeeding remains a significant problem. This review summarizes recent advances made in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the United States and other resource-rich countries, as well as progress in resource-limited countries.
Related Concept Videos
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly
Retrovirus Life Cycles
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
