Coxsackie virus B infection and pregnancy

Abstract

Frequently, enteroviral infection with Coxsackie virus B (CV-B) goes unnoticed, without or only with mild symptoms. The infection is well known for the gastro-intestinal transmission, but recently, the severe forms of neonate’s infection, suggested that vertical transmission should not be neglected and moreover the fetal consequences should be studied. This review relates the most important findings regarding infection with CV-B during pregnancy, most of the information being based on murine studies. It seems that CV-B infection is associated with high rate of abortion and could also impair fertility. Regarding long term effects, CV-B might cause autoimmune diseases, congenital heart defects and neurologic disorders. Severe acute disease in new-born is generally acquired from a symptomatic mother that develop a febrile illness during the last week of pregnancy.