Antibodies to rubellavirus, herpes simplex virus and Toxoplasma gondii in serial serum samples of pregnant and non-pregnant women.
By testing serial serum samples of 213 pregnant women for rubellavirus, of 196 for herpes simplex virus and of 134 for Toxoplasma gondii, it was found that during pregnancy there was a fall in the humoral antibody level. Presence and titre of antibodies were lower in sera of pregnant than of non-pregnant women. Alteration of the humoral antibody level during pregnancy may influence serological studies aimed at clarifying the role of infections in fetal malformations. Serial serum samples (4 samples from each pregnant woman involved) should be tested for obtaining reliable data regarding the frequency of infections during pregnancy.
D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000276:immunology*; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000276:immunology*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G