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[Persistence of the influenza virus in children with congenital CNS pathology]
Insights
Influenza virus genetic material, not infectious virus, was detected in sick infants born to infected mothers. Viral gene persistence in blood cells suggests a potential role in congenital immune deficiency and central nervous system pathology.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Maternal influenza infection during pregnancy can lead to adverse infant outcomes.
- Congenital immune deficiency and central nervous system (CNS) pathology are serious concerns in infants exposed to prenatal infections.
- The persistence and impact of influenza virus genetic material in neonates require further investigation.
Abstract:
Sick infants born to mothers who experienced influenza during pregnancy were examined. The cerebrospinal fluid, serum and blood cells were collected from such children with signs of congenital immune deficiency and progressive pathology of the central nervous system. None of the specimens yielded infectious influenza virus, but by means of molecular hybridization virus-specific genetic sequences were found in small amounts in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum and in high concentrations in blood cells. Persistence of genes NP, M and H1 of influenza A/H1N1 virus was observed in the blood cells of one infant for 83 days (the observation period). At the same time, the lack of antibodies to viral M protein in serum of this baby was demonstrated by the immune blotting method.