Prolonged Maternal Shedding and Maternal-fetal Transmission of Measles Virus

Caroline Charlier1,2,3, Julia Dina4,5, François Freymuth4,5

  • 1Institut Pasteur, Biology of Infection Unit, Paris, France.

Prolonged measles virus detection in maternal saliva and blood was evidenced in 6 pregnant women. Maternal-fetal transmission was evidenced in 2 of 4 infants who were asymptomatic at birth, 21-24 weeks after maternal infection. Whereas peripartum congenital measles is severe, asymptomatic measles virus vertical transmission can occur earlier in pregnancy.