Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Modeling Ascending Vaginal Infection, Preterm Birth, and Neonatal Morbidity in Mice
Published on: October 10, 2025
Genetic susceptibility to infection-mediated preterm birth
Katherine P Himes1, Hyagriv N Simhan1
1Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Magee-Womens Hospital, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Abstract:
Preterm birth is a heterogeneous disorder that is responsible for significant neonatal morbidity and mortality. Intrauterine infection is implicated in a significant proportion of preterm birth-particularly in early gestation. Epidemiologic evidence supports a genetic component to infection overall and preterm birth in particular. Furthermore, a number of studies examining genes involved in pathogen recognition and our response to pathogens suggest a genetic susceptibility to infection-mediated preterm birth. On the whole, however, these studies have been difficult to replicate and explain only a small portion of the phenotypic variation in preterm birth. Given this, methodological considerations are emphasized to improve our understanding of the genetic susceptibility to infection-mediated preterm birth.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu
Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
Gene-Environment Interactions
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics
Infection
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
