News
ICViewExpert PerspectivesMedical World NewsPathogen PlaybookVideosWebinars
Conference CoverageConference ListingAPIC Chapters
Infection Control TodaySupplements And Featured Publications
CME/CEEditorial Advisory BoardJob BoardPartnersSponsoredWhitepapers
Subscribe
Educator of the Year Official Rules2024 Educator of the Year Winner2023 Educator of the Year WinnerEducator of the Year
Advanced TechnologyAdvanced TechnologyAdvanced Technology
Bug of the Month
COVID-19
Environmental ServicesEnvironmental Services
HAIs
Hand Hygiene
IC Trends
Long-Term CareLong-Term Care
Operating Room
Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal Protective Equipment
Policy
PreventionPreventionPreventionPrevention
Sterile ProcessingSterile Processing
Surface Disinfection
Vascular Access
Spotlight -
  • IC Trends
  • Bug of the Month
  • Featured Articles
  • Featured Columns
  • Pathogen Playbook
Advanced TechnologyAdvanced TechnologyAdvanced Technology
Bug of the Month
COVID-19
Environmental ServicesEnvironmental Services
HAIs
Hand Hygiene
IC Trends
Long-Term CareLong-Term Care
Operating Room
Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal Protective Equipment
Policy
PreventionPreventionPreventionPrevention
Sterile ProcessingSterile Processing
Surface Disinfection
Vascular Access
    • News
    • Subscribe
Advertisement

Herpes Virus Link to Complications in Pregnancy

February 18, 2008
Article

Researchers at Adelaides Womens & Childrens Hospital and the University of Adelaide in Australia, have made a world-first discovery that links viral infection with high blood pressure during pregnancy and pre-term birth. The research findings, published in the British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, are a major step forward in unraveling the mystery of the cause of high blood pressure in pregnancy.

The research has been conducted by the South Australian Cerebral Palsy Research Group, based in the University of Adelaides School of Paediatrics & Reproductive Health and the Womens and Childrens Hospital Microbiology & Infectious Diseases Department.

Their work demonstrates, for the first time, that exposure to viral infection especially viruses of the herpes group may be associated with pregnancy-induced hypertensive disease (pre-eclampsia) and also with pre-term birth.

The research discovered the presence of viral nucleic acid in heel-prick blood samples from 1326 newborn babies, taken over a 10-year period. More than 400 of these babies were diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

This is an exciting finding and further studies are now required to look at the link between viral exposure in pregnancy and genetic susceptibility to adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as high blood pressure, premature delivery and cerebral palsy, says professor Alastair MacLennan, leader of the research group.

Pregnancy hypertension (high blood pressure) occurs in up to 10 percent of first pregnancies throughout the developed world, such as in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. When untreated, it can lead to uncontrolled epileptic fits of eclampsia with loss of baby and mother. It is a common cause of maternal death in Third World countries.

The cause of high blood pressure in pregnancy has been an enigma for decades and a holy grail for many researchers.

The Adelaide research group has already demonstrated a link between viral infection in pregnancy, genetic mutations in genes controlling inflammatory and blood clotting processes, and the development of cerebral palsy.

The group has also found an association between several hereditary gene mutations with changes in inflammatory proteins that may cause dysfunction and constriction of the blood vessels of the placenta and brain, thus causing the rise in blood pressure in pregnancy. If not controlled, this can be lethal.

We are just beginning to understand the interaction and importance of exposure to viruses and genetic susceptibility to infection both in pregnancy and the newborn, says associate professor Paul Goldwater, the virologist of the team.

Dr. Catherine Gibson, the senior scientist of the group, has recently returned from presenting some of these results in the United States, where there is great interest in the Adelaide work.

Source: University of Adelaide

Recent Videos
Pathogen Playbook Presenter: Sharon Ward-Fore, BS, MS, MT(ASCP), CIC, FAPIC
Mark Wiencek, PhD
Rebecca Crapanzano-Sigafoos, DrPH, CIC, AL-CIP, FAPIC
The CDC’s updated hospital respiratory reporting requirement has added new layers of responsibility for infection preventionists. Karen Jones, MPH, RN, CIC, FAPIC, clinical program manager at Wolters Kluwer, breaks down what it means and how IPs can adapt.
Studying for the CIC using a digital tablet and computer (Adobe Stock 335828989 by NIKCOA)
Infection Control Today's Conversations with the HSPA President, Arlene Bush, CRCST, CER, CIS, SME, DSMD, CRMST
Infection Control Today's Conversations with the HSPA President, Arlene Bush, CRCST, CER, CIS, SME, DSMD, CRMST
Cheron Rojo, BS, FCS, CHL,  CER, CFER, CRCST
Matthias Tschoerner, Dr Sc
Standardizing Cleaning and Disinfection
Related Content

Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH; Brandon M. Gantt, MHA, CRCST, CHL, CER, LSSGBH; and Jill E. Holdsworth, MS, CIC, FAPIC, NREMT, CRCST, CHL

Lumens 2.0 Study Results: Borescopes Reveal Hidden Challenges of Cleaning Lumened Surgical Instruments

Tori Whitacre Martonicz
July 8th 2025
Article

A groundbreaking study presented at HSPA25 and APIC25 exposed hidden contamination lurking inside orthopedic and neurosurgical instruments—even after cleaning. The Lumens 2.0 research highlights why infection prevention must look deeper than surface-level protocols.


Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) logo  (Logo credit to CBIC)

CBIC Seeks Input for Job Analysis Survey for the a-IPC Certification

Infection Control Today® Editorial Staff
July 8th 2025
Article

The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) is calling on infection prevention professionals to help shape the future of the a-IPC exam through a vital new job analysis survey.


The Clean Bite

Why You Should Always Ask About Sterilization at the Dentist

Sherrie Busby, EDDA, CDSO, CDIPC
July 7th 2025
Article

Patients rarely question sterilization protocols at the dentist, yet it is essential for safety. The Clean Bite explores why asking matters, what to look for, and how to start the conversation confidently.


A Profession Without a Path, Part 2

Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers

Shahbaz Salehi, MD, MPH, MSHIA;Anna Arifin, MD, MBA, MT, CIC
July 4th 2025
Article

Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.


Stretcher and HAIs  (Image courtesy of author through AI)

How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels

Donald Sipp, MBA, RESE, CHESP, CHTI-2, CMIP, PMP
July 3rd 2025
Article

Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.


Hot Topics With Saskia v. Popescu, PhD, MPH, MA, CIC, FAPIC

Hot Topics for IPC on July 2, 2025

Saskia v. Popescu, PhD, MPH, MA, CIC, FAPIC
July 2nd 2025
Article

This Hot Topics for IPC covers the latest on ASPR, AMR, vaccines, and a study on AMR and livestock manure from Michigan State University.

Related Content

Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH; Brandon M. Gantt, MHA, CRCST, CHL, CER, LSSGBH; and Jill E. Holdsworth, MS, CIC, FAPIC, NREMT, CRCST, CHL

Lumens 2.0 Study Results: Borescopes Reveal Hidden Challenges of Cleaning Lumened Surgical Instruments

Tori Whitacre Martonicz
July 8th 2025
Article

A groundbreaking study presented at HSPA25 and APIC25 exposed hidden contamination lurking inside orthopedic and neurosurgical instruments—even after cleaning. The Lumens 2.0 research highlights why infection prevention must look deeper than surface-level protocols.


Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) logo  (Logo credit to CBIC)

CBIC Seeks Input for Job Analysis Survey for the a-IPC Certification

Infection Control Today® Editorial Staff
July 8th 2025
Article

The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) is calling on infection prevention professionals to help shape the future of the a-IPC exam through a vital new job analysis survey.


The Clean Bite

Why You Should Always Ask About Sterilization at the Dentist

Sherrie Busby, EDDA, CDSO, CDIPC
July 7th 2025
Article

Patients rarely question sterilization protocols at the dentist, yet it is essential for safety. The Clean Bite explores why asking matters, what to look for, and how to start the conversation confidently.


A Profession Without a Path, Part 2

Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers

Shahbaz Salehi, MD, MPH, MSHIA;Anna Arifin, MD, MBA, MT, CIC
July 4th 2025
Article

Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.


Stretcher and HAIs  (Image courtesy of author through AI)

How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels

Donald Sipp, MBA, RESE, CHESP, CHTI-2, CMIP, PMP
July 3rd 2025
Article

Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.


Hot Topics With Saskia v. Popescu, PhD, MPH, MA, CIC, FAPIC

Hot Topics for IPC on July 2, 2025

Saskia v. Popescu, PhD, MPH, MA, CIC, FAPIC
July 2nd 2025
Article

This Hot Topics for IPC covers the latest on ASPR, AMR, vaccines, and a study on AMR and livestock manure from Michigan State University.

Advertise
About Us
Editorial Board
Contact Us
Job Board
Terms and Conditions
Privacy
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Contact Info

2 Commerce Drive
Cranbury, NJ 08512

609-716-7777

© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.
Home
About Us
News