Genital herpes during early pregnancy linked to autism risk in babies

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New York: Researchers have found that women who had signs of active genital herpes infection during early pregnancy may increase the risk of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in babies later.

Genital herpes is a highly contagious virus and lifelong infection that usually spread through sex.

The findings showed an association between maternal anti-herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) antibodies and risk for autism in children.

Milada Mahic, research scientist at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City and lead author of the study, said "We believe the mother's immune response to HSV-2 could be disrupting foetal central nervous system development, raising risk for autism".

The risk of autism was found to be the result of primary or reactivation of infection in mothers with inflammation in close proximity to the womb, the researchers suggested.

W. Ian Lipkin, Director at Columbia University said, "Evidence suggests a role for both genetic and environmental factors. Our work suggests that inflammation and immune activation may contribute to risk. Herpes simplex virus-2 could be one of any number of infectious agents involved".

For the study, the team examined blood samples from 412 mothers of children diagnosed with autism and 463 mothers of children without autism.

The findings is appearing in the journal mSphere.

Samples were taken at two time points -- at around week 18 of pregnancy and at birth -- and analysed for levels of antibodies five pathogens: Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2 -- known as ToRCH agents, exposure to which can lead to miscarriage and birth defects.

The risk was found with high levels of antibodies to HSV-2, not any of the other agents and was only evident in blood samples taken at a time point reflecting exposure during early pregnancy when the foetal nervous system undergoes rapid development, not at birth.

(With IANS inputs)