Infection News

The rise in congenital syphilis cases in the United States is likely a result of multiple factors, researchers said.

Vertical transmission of COVID-19 is possible but rare, with fewer than 2% of babies born to mothers with COVID-19 testing positive for the virus, according to a meta-analysis published in The BMJ.

Pregnant women in Oregon are avoiding the hospital for their birthing plans and turning to birthing centers or giving birth at home, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study in American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Researchers said the most effective approach to preventing vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus was a combination of maternal use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, or TDF, and postnatal immunization.

Maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination has been achieved by 80% of the 59 countries identified in 1999 as being still at risk for the infection, according to a report published in MMWR.

Pregnant women with hepatitis B virus who received tenofovir disoproxil fumarate at least 4 weeks prior to delivery were less likely to transmit the virus to their infants, even those who did not receive immunoglobulin, data show.

Adolescent girls and young women preferred the dapivirine ring over oral PrEP for HIV prevention by a two to one margin in a study conducted in three African countries, researchers reported Tuesday.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has issued a draft recommendation that encourages health care professionals to screen asymptomatic adolescents and adults who are at increased risk for syphilis.

Universal screening for hepatitis C virus detected more infections in pregnant people, as well as transmission to infants, according to a presenter at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections.

A recently published study found that SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, including induced abortion, cesarean sections, preterm birth and fetal growth restriction.