Dampened immunity during pregnancy promotes evolution of more virulent flu: Mouse study

(Cell Press) During pregnancy, a mother's immune system is suppressed to protect the fetus, which is perceived as a foreign body because it is genetically different. A study in mice found that suppressed immunity during pregnancy creates a window of opportunity for the H1N1 influenza virus to infect the mother and to rapidly, within a few days, mutate into a more virulent strain. The findings appear in Cell Host& Microbe on March 8.
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news