title: Properties and mechanisms of immunoglobulins for congenital cytomegalovirus disease.
abstract: Immunoglobulins are one major component of adaptive immunity to external and resident microorganisms, evolving very early in phylogenesis. They help eukaryotes in controlling infections, mainly through their neutralizing activity, which quenches both the cytopathic and inflammatory potential of invading microorganisms. Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-related disease is generally blunted in seropositive subjects with conserved specific humoral responses. CMV-seropositive pregnant women, in accordance with such evidence, suffer little or no fetal damage when reexposed to CMV. Several seminal experiences and early experimental models confirmed that repeated infusions of immunoglobulins, either with hyperimmune or standard preparations, may help to reduce maternal-fetal CMV transmission, as well as to quench fetal disease upon transmission. This review focused on experimental evidence supporting the potential role of immunoglobulins as a tool to control fetal CMV-related disease in pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Unit.
authors.forename: Giustino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Parruti
authors.forename: Ennio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Polilli
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ursini
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tontodonati
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D035843:Biomedical Research; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive / Q000379:methods*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007136:Immunoglobulins
keywords: IgG avidity; congenital cytomegalovirus disease; immunoglobulins; immunomodulation