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Maternal Immunoreactivity to Herpes Simplex Virus 2 and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Male Offspring

Year: 2017
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The cause (or causes) of most cases of autism spectrum disorder is unknown. Evidence from epidemiological studies and work in animal models of neurodevelopmental disorders suggest that both genetic and environmental factors may be implicated. The latter include gestational infection and immune activation. In our cohort, high levels of antibodies to herpes simplex virus 2 at midpregnancy were associated with an elevated risk of autism spectrum disorder in male offspring. These findings provide support for the hypothesis that gestational infection may contribute to the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder and have the potential to drive new efforts to monitor women more closely for cryptic gestational infection and to implement suppressive therapy during pregnancy.
Source: mSphere
DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00016-17
Authors: Milada Mahic, Siri Mjaaland, Hege Marie Bøvelstad, Nina Gunnes, Ezra Susser, Michaeline Bresnahan, Anne-Siri Øyen, Bruce Levin, Xiaoyu Che, Deborah Hirtz, Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud, Synnve Schjølberg, Christine Roth, Per Magnus, Camilla Stoltenberg, Pål Surén, Mady Hornig, W. Ian Lipkin
Institutions: Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Lovisenberg Diakonale Sykehus, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, University of Oslo, University of Bergen
Language: English
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,500
Awards: Gene-Environment Interactions in an Autism Birth Cohort, G3751068359, G4439499669, Infection, fever and immune signatures in an autism birth cohort, G5474089859, G5831183545
OpenAlex ID: W2590171645
FWCI: 4.163
Cites: 71
Cited by: 57
Related to: 10