Epidemiology of cytomegalovirus Infection among mothers and infants in Colombia.

We assessed maternal and infant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in Colombia. Maternal serum was tested for CMV immunoglobulin G antibodies at a median of 10 (interquartile range: 8-12) weeks gestation (n = 1501). CMV DNA polymerase chain reaction was performed on infant urine to diagnose congenital (≤21 days of life) and postnatal (>21 days) infection. Maternal CMV seroprevalence was 98.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 97.5%-98.8%). Congenital CMV prevalence was 8.4 (95% CI: 3.9%-18.3%; 6/711) per 1000 live births. Among 472 infants without confirmed congenital CMV infection subsequently tested at age 6 months, 258 (54.7%, 95% CI: 50.2%-59.1%) had postnatal infection.

Fetal Weight Outcomes in C57BL/6J and C57BL/6NCrl Mice after Oral Colonization with Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is considered a keystone pathogen that contributes to the initiation and progression of periodontitis in humans. P. gingivalis has also been detected in human placentas associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The spread of P. gingivalis from the oral cavity to the reproductive tract thus represents a potential mechanism whereby periodontitis can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. In a murine model of pregnancy and oral infection with P. gingivalis, C57BL/6J mice developed low fetal weight, whereas C57BL/6NCrl mice did not. Although C57BL/6NCrl mice harbor segmented filamentous bacteria that drive a Th17 response, fetal weight was independent of frequency of Th17 or Th1 in either substrain. Low fetal weight was instead correlated with increasing amounts of P. gingivalis DNA in the placentas of the C57BL/6J dams. In contrast, fetal weight in C57BL/6NCrl mice was independent of P. gingivalis in the placenta. Differences in genetics or microbiome that influence the ability of P. gingivalis to colonize the placenta may drive differential fetal weight outcomes between C57BL/6J and C57BL/6NCrl mice and, potentially, between diverse human populations.

Sustained chronic inflammation and altered childhood vaccine responses in children exposed to Zika virus.

BACKGROUND: Congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection leads to severe newborn abnormalities, but its long-term impact on childhood immunity is not well understood. This study aims to investigate the serum proteomics in children exposed to ZIKV during pregnancy to understand potential immunological consequences during early childhood. METHODS: The study included ZIKV-exposed infants (ZEI) at birth (n = 42) and children exposed to ZIKV (ZEC) at two years of age (n = 20) exposed to ZIKV during pregnancy, as well as healthy controls. Serum proteomic analysis was performed on these groups to assess inflammation and immune profiles. Additionally, antibody titres against two common childhood vaccines, DTaP and MMR, were measured in healthy controls (n = 50) and ZEC (n = 92) to evaluate vaccine-induced immunity. FINDINGS: Results showed elevated inflammation in ZEI with birth abnormalities. Among ZEC, despite most having normal clinical outcomes at two years, their serum proteomics indicated a bias towards Th1-mediated immune responses. Notably, ZEC displayed reduced anti-Diphtheria toxin and anti-Clostridium tetani IgG levels against DTaP and MMR vaccines. They also exhibited lower antibody titres particularly against Th2-biased DTaP vaccines, but not Th1-biased MMR vaccines. INTERPRETATION: In conclusion, the study highlights the long-term immunological consequences of congenital ZIKV exposure. Heightened inflammation was observed in ZEI with abnormalities at birth, while ZEC maintained a chronic Th1-biased immune profile. The impaired response to Th2-biased vaccines raises concerns about lasting effects of ZIKV exposure on immune responses. Consequently, there is a need for continued longitudinal clinical monitoring to identify potential immune-related complications arising from prenatal exposure to ZIKV. FUNDING: This work was partially funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR).

Immune Response of Neonates Born to Mothers Infected With SARS-CoV-2.

Importance: Although several studies have provided information on short-term clinical outcomes in children with perinatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2, data on the immune response in the first months of life among newborns exposed to the virus in utero are lacking. Objective: To characterize systemic and mucosal antibody production during the first 2 months of life among infants who were born to mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective cohort study enrolled 28 pregnant women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection and who gave birth at Policlinico Umberto I in Rome, Italy, from November 2020 to May 2021, and their newborns. Maternal and neonatal systemic immune responses were investigated by detecting spike-specific antibodies in serum, and the mucosal immune response was assessed by measuring specific antibodies in maternal breastmilk and infant saliva 48 hours after delivery and 2 months later. Exposures: Maternal infection with SARS-CoV-2 in late pregnancy. Main Outcomes and Measures: The systemic immune response was evaluated by the detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA antibodies and receptor binding domain-specific IgM antibodies in maternal and neonatal serum. The mucosal immune response was assessed by measuring spike-specific antibodies in breastmilk and in infant saliva, and the presence of antigen-antibody spike IgA immune complexes was investigated in breastmilk samples. All antibodies were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: In total, 28 mother-infant dyads (mean [SD] maternal age, 31.8 [6.4] years; mean [SD] gestational age, 38.1 [2.3] weeks; 18 [60%] male infants) were enrolled at delivery, and 21 dyads completed the study at 2 months' follow-up. Because maternal infection was recent in all cases, transplacental transfer of virus spike-specific IgG antibodies occurred in only 1 infant. One case of potential vertical transmission and 1 case of horizontal infection were observed. Virus spike protein-specific salivary IgA antibodies were significantly increased (P = .01) in infants fed breastmilk (0.99 arbitrary units [AU]; IQR, 0.39-1.68 AU) vs infants fed an exclusive formula diet (0.16 AU; IQR, 0.02-0.83 AU). Maternal milk contained IgA spike immune complexes at 48 hours (0.53 AU; IQR, 0.25-0.39 AU) and at 2 months (0.09 AU; IQR, 0.03-0.17 AU) and may have functioned as specific stimuli for the infant mucosal immune response. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific IgA antibodies were detected in infant saliva, which may partly explain why newborns are resistant to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mothers infected in the peripartum period appear to not only passively protect the newborn via breastmilk secretory IgA but also actively stimulate and train the neonatal immune system via breastmilk immune complexes.

Periodontitis in pregnancy: clinical and serum antibody observations from a baboon model of ligature-induced disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic oral infections that elicit host responses leading to periodontal disease are linked with various sequelae of systemic diseases. This report provides seminal information on the clinical and adaptive immunologic characteristics of a baboon model of ligature-induced periodontitis during pregnancy. METHODS: Female Papio anubis were evaluated for periodontal health at baseline. Ligatures were tied around selected teeth to initiate oral inflammation and periodontitis. Then the animals were bred. At midpregnancy ( approximately 90 days), a clinical evaluation was performed, and additional ligatures were tied on teeth in the contralateral quadrants to maintain progressing periodontitis throughout pregnancy. A final clinical evaluation was done for all experimental teeth after delivery, and ligatures were removed. Serum was collected at all sampling intervals for the determination of antibody levels to a group of 20 oral bacteria. Unligated animals served as controls. RESULTS: At baseline, 16% of animals exhibited minimal plaque and gingival inflammation without periodontal disease. The remaining baboons demonstrated varying levels of inflammation/bleeding, and approximately 20% of the population had periodontal pocketing (>3 mm). Ligated animals expressed increased levels of inflammation and increased probing depths and clinical attachment loss (AL) and could be stratified into multiple subsets postligation based upon changes in clinical parameters at midpregnancy and at delivery. Baboons were categorized into disease susceptibility groups (periodontal disease susceptibility 1 through 4) that described the extent/severity of induced disease during pregnancy. Control animals showed minimal periodontal changes during gestation. Significant differences in serum antibody to multiple oral bacteria were found in animals presenting with periodontitis at baseline and during the 6 months of ligature-induced disease. A significant correlation to antibody to P. gingivalis, which was sustained throughout ligation and pregnancy, was observed with disease presentation. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical presentation at baseline, reflecting the natural history of oral disease in these animals, suggests individual variation that is reflected in the characteristics of the adaptive immune responses to oral bacteria. The variability in the response to ligation with resulting periodontal disease provides a model to document prospectively the relationship between oral and systemic health outcomes.

Antibody responses to Porphyromonas gingivalis outer membrane protein in the first trimester.

BACKGROUND: Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) is one of the most harmful periodontal pathogens and it has been reported that Pg is associated with preterm birth (PTB), intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), discovered by animal experiments and clinical research. The relationship between adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal antibody response to Pg is controversial. On the other hand, the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) has been recognised as a reliable serum marker of periodontal disease. AIMS: To determine the significance of antibody responses to Pg affecting pregnancy outcomes in the first trimester. METHODS: A case-control study was carried out on women with PTB (n = 58), IUGR (n = 91), PIH (n = 32) and without any complications (control, n = 98). The serum level of the CRP and IgG1 against 40-kDa outer membrane protein of Pg (anti-40-kDa OMP Pg-IgG1) in the first trimester was measured. RESULTS: The IUGR group, and PTB patients whose placentas were diagnosed as chorioamnionitis or whose vaginal flora included Lactobacilli, showed a lower level of anti-40-kDa OMP Pg-IgG1 than the control group. There was no difference in the serum CRP level between each case group and control group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a lack of humoral immunity against Pg in early pregnancy is associated with IUGR and some PTB.

Persistently high levels of periodontal pathogens associated with preterm pregnancy outcome.

BACKGROUND: Few studies examining the association between periodontal diseases and preterm birth have explored the underlying microbial and antibody responses associated with oral infection. METHODS: A nested case-control study was performed using data from a recent interventional trial following the delayed-treatment control group of 31 subjects with periodontal diseases. The levels of eight oral bacteria and the maternal immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses in serum to these bacteria were measured at antepartum and postpartum visits to determine the relationship to cases (preterm delivery <37 weeks' gestation) and controls (term delivery). RESULTS: Antepartum, the levels of periodontal pathogens tended to be higher in the preterm (case group) deliveries compared to the term deliveries (control group). Maternal anti-Porphyromonas gingivalis IgG was significantly lower in the preterm group compared to the term group (P = 0.028). Postpartum, levels of P. gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Prevotella intermedia, and Prevotella nigrescens were statistically significantly higher in preterm births compared to term deliveries, adjusting for baseline levels. The joint effects of red and orange microbial clusters were significantly higher in the preterm group compared to the term group. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of periodontal pathogens and low maternal IgG antibody response to periodontal bacteria during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk for preterm delivery. Further studies elucidating the role of the microbial load and maternal immune response as related to pregnancy outcome seem merited.

Effects of periodontal therapy during pregnancy on periodontal status, biologic parameters, and pregnancy outcomes: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the potential effects of periodontal treatment during pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes, periodontal status, and inflammatory biomarkers. METHODS: A randomized, delayed-treatment, controlled pilot trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of second-trimester scaling and root planing and the use of a sonic toothbrush on the rate of preterm delivery (<37 weeks gestation). Secondary outcome measures included changes in periodontal status, levels of eight oral pathogens, levels of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), 8-isoprostane (8-iso), and IL-6, and serum levels of IL-6, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM1), 8-isoprostane, soluble glycoprotein 130 (sGP130), IL-6 soluble receptor (IL-6sr), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Logistic regression models were used to test for effects of treatment on preterm delivery. Secondary outcomes were analyzed by analysis of covariance adjusting for subject baseline values. RESULTS: Periodontal intervention resulted in a significantly decreased incidence odds ratio (OR) for preterm delivery (OR = 0.26; 95% confidence interval = 0.08 to 0.85), adjusting for baseline periodontal status which was unbalanced after randomization. Pregnancy without periodontal treatment was associated with significant increases in probing depths, plaque scores, GCF IL-1beta, and GCF IL-6 levels. Intervention resulted in significant improvements in clinical status (attachment level, probing depth, plaque, gingivitis, and bleeding on probing scores) and significant decreases in levels of Prevotella nigrescens and Prevotella intermedia, serum IL-6sr, and GCF IL-1beta. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this pilot study (67 subjects) provide further evidence supporting the potential benefits of periodontal treatment on pregnancy outcomes. Treatment was safe, improved periodontal health, and prevented periodontal disease progression. Preliminary data show a 3.8-fold reduction in the rate of preterm delivery, a decrease in periodontal pathogen load, and a decrease in both GCF IL-1beta and serum markers of IL-6 response. However, further studies will be needed to substantiate these early findings.

Sero-prevalence of HIV antibodies in pregnant women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine the Sero-Prevalence of HIV antibodies in pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt. METHOD: Serial recruitment of 600 women who attended the antenatal clinic. HIV screening was done by rapid ELISA technique. Positive samples were re-tested with a second rapid ELISA kit, with only samples sero-positive with both kits being taken as trulysero-positive. RESULTS: The sero-positivity rate was 7.3%, sixty-nine point seven percent (69.7%) of all sero-positive cases were primiparae, with 84% in advanced stages of pregnancy (2nd and 31rd trimesters). History of blood transfusion, dental manipulations, tattooing and circumcision did not contribute significantly to increased HIV sero-positivity. CONCLUSION: There is high HIV sero-positivity rate among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Port Harcourt. The implications of this finding in relation to vertical transmission, transmission of nosocomial infection and increased occupational exposure of laboratory and hospital staff to HIV infection is discussed. Compulsory routine screening of all pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Sub-Saharan Africa is advocated.

Serosurvey of hepatitis B surface antigen in pregnant Saudi women.

In 1990, Saudi Arabia began vaccinating all children at school entry against hepatitis B. We evaluated hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence rate among pregnant Saudi women 12 years later in 5 regions of the country. Using multistage sampling, 2664 pregnant Saudi women were recruited. Blood samples were tested for HBsAg; positive samples were also tested for hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg). In all 2.44% were positive for HBsAg and 4 (0.15%) were also positive for HBeAg. HBsAg prevalence was highest in Gizan (4.2%) and lowest in Tabuk (1.4%). Positivity for women < or = 20 years of age was 0.5% compared with 2.6% for older women (P = 0.049). The overall HBsAg prevalence rate was lower than previously reported.

Experimental toxoplasmosis and vaccine tests in Aotus monkeys.

We studied Aotus lemurinus, Panamanian night monkeys, for susceptibility to Toxoplasma infection and for their capacity to develop immunity using either sufadiazine prophylaxis or the non-persistent ts-4 vaccine. The animals were highly susceptible to infection with a mouse pathogenic (T265) and a mouse nonpathogenic (T163) Toxoplasma isolate. A calculated single bradyzoite by mouth gave rise to infection which was fatal in nine to 12 days. Chemoprophylaxis with 60-300 of sulfadiazine mg per day for up to 40 days protected the animals; however this was followed by fatal reactivation of infection between 11 and 70 days after treatment was stopped. Vaccination was carried out in two or three doses subcutaneously. Challenge was performed in 26 animals using both Toxoplasma isolates. Five monkeys (19%) survived for over a year, 10 died after a prolonged illness, and 11 died as rapidly as the seven controls. Safety tests showed the vaccine to be nonpathogenic in 111 adults except for slight fever and local inflammation, although one of four juveniles died from disseminated infection. Vaccination of 25 pregnant monkeys was non-pathogenic; however two of 25 fetuses were aborted, one of which was infected and one newborn had microphthalmia, retinitis and a cataract; four of the offspring were not tested. When six lactating monkeys were vaccinated, Toxoplasma was not transmitted to the infants. The high susceptibility to Toxoplasma and the low immunizability was circumstantially attributed to absence of exposure and lack of selection by Toxoplasma of these arboreal monkeys even though about 50% of terrestrial animals from the same area were infected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effects of dental disease on systemic disease.

Chronic exposure to periodontal pathogens results in the continued stimulation of an immune and nonimmune response by the host. The cytokines and other inflammatory mediators produced in gingivitis/periodontitis result in local tissue destruction and may reach significant levels affecting the cardiovascular system or placental tissues. The oral cavity may also serve as a direct reservoir for bacterial contamination of the lungs with subsequent development of bacterial pneumonia.

Risk factors for hepatitis B surface antigen positivity among pregnant women.

A case-control study of risk factors for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity was carried out among 130 pregnant women who were HBsAg positive (the case group) and 284 pregnant women who were HBsAg negative (the control group). Data obtained from the interviews and medical records including socio-demographic factors, personal history and behavioral factors related to HBV infection of the case and control groups were analyzed by using Odds ratio (OR), 95 per cent confidence interval of OR and chi2-test. The results revealed that the significant risk factors for HBsAg positivity were (a) a history of jaundice, OR=3.83 (p=0.0044), (b) tattooing, OR=3.98 (p=0.0411), (c) a history of jaundice in husbands, OR=7.93 (p<0.0001), (d) sharing articles with their husbands, such as a toothbrush, a spoon or a drinking glass, OR=5.90 (p<0.0001), (e) duration of marriage more than 4 years, OR=1.58 (p=0.0446) and (f) average sexual relations > or = 2 times per week, OR=2.12 (p=0.0007). The HBV preventive program should emphasize not only HBV vaccination in spouses of HBV carriers or pre-marital couples, but also health education for improving personal hygiene and sexual behavior in these target groups.

[Correlation between the indices of immunity and virus elimination in cytomegalovirus infection]. / Izuchenie korreliatsii mezhdu nekotorymi pokazateliami immuniteta i éliminatsiei virusa pri tsitomegalovirusnoi infektsii.

Correlations between titres of complement-fixing antibody, levels of E-RFC, Ea-RFC, EAC-RFC, EA-RFC, and the intensity of virus excretion in the saliva and urine of women with chronic form of cytomegaly, as well as the effect of decaris in vitro on the level of E-RFC were studied. The highest antibody titres were found in subjects with generalized infection (virus excretion in the saliva and urine) and in cases where high concentrations of the virus were found in the salivary gland cells. In these subjects, total levels of E-RFC and their active subpopulations were decreased. The lowest antibody titres were found in women excreting no virus in the study period. Relative amounts of E-RFC and Ea-RFC in them were within normal ranges. No correlation between the levels of EAC-RFC, EA-RFC, and virus excretion was found. Decaris in vitro normalized the reduced values of E-RFC. Theoretical substantiation of the possibility of using this drug for treatment of patients with cytomegalovirus infection is presented.

[Epidemiological and immunological research on cytomegaly in parturients and newborn infants among the indigenous and immigrant population in the Far North]. / Epidemiologicheskie i immunologicheskie issledovaniia tsitomegalii u rozhenits i novorozhdennykh sredi korennogo i prishlogo naseleniia na Krainem Severe.

In the immigrant population of the Central Yakutiya, cytomegalic cells in the saliva and urine are found much more frequently than in the indigenous population (P less than 0.001). Significant differences were found in the content of complement-fixing antibody to CMV in parturients and newborns in the Extreme North as compared with the European USSR. While in the latter complement-fixing antibodies to CMV are more frequently found in newborn babies (86% in newborns and 69.8% in parturients), in the Extreme North it is vice versa (52.53% in parturients and 32.73% in newborns). Large numbers of seronegative women of the indigenous and immigrant population becoming pregnant get into the group of risk of infection with CMV which is explained by a high rate of detection of IgM in newborn babies of the indigenous (8.69%) and immigrant (9.8%) population and indicates congenital CMV infection.

Vertical transmission of HBsAg in Alexandria.

A total of 735 pregnant women at delivery and their babies were screened for HBsAg to assess the vertical transmission of HB virus infection. The carrier rate among pregnant women was 5%, evidence of intrauterine transmission reached 8.1% and that of perinatal transmission was 33.3% The most important factors affecting the carrier rate in mothers were the social class, parity, injections, dental manipulation and hospitalization. Nevertheless, among the factors increasing the rate of materno-fetal transmission were the presence of "e" Ag, high titer of HBsAg in mothers serum, cord blood antigenaemia, age of the mother, prolonged duration of labour and breast-feeding.

Fetal membrane biomarker network diversity and disease functions induced by intra-amniotic pathogens.

PROBLEM: Intra-amniotic pathogens and by-products activate innate immune responses encompassing multitudes of signaling molecules and pathways that can result in spontaneous preterm birth (PTB). This study investigates fetal membrane response to bacterial stimulation using a bioinformatics approach. METHOD OF STUDY: Dysregulated biomarker (IL1-ß, IL-2, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α) data from fetal membranes at term stimulated with Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum, Mycoplasma hominis, E. coli, Group B Streptococci, Polyporhans gingivalis, or Gardnerella vaginalis with 50% (v/v) amniotic fluid (AF) were analyzed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. RESULTS: In racially stratified analysis, networks representing late-stage immune inflammation were seen in African-Americans in AF absence. Inflammation was dominant in AF presence as well. In Caucasians, late-stage immune response was dominant with AF, but not in its absence. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal membrane biofunctions in response to bacteria reflect early- and late-stage innate immune defenses that vary based on the presence of AF and subject race.

Bacterial modulation of human fetal membrane Toll-like receptor expression.

PROBLEM: Preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes (pPROM) occurs in 30-40% of spontaneous preterm births (PTB) and is associated with intra-amniotic infection and inflammation. The membranes may sense and respond to microbes via Toll-like receptors (TLRs); however, little is known about their expression and regulation in this tissue. The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of TLRs 1-10 in fetal membranes after exposure to pathogens associated with intra-amniotic infection and PTB. METHOD OF STUDY: Normal human term fetal membrane explants were exposed to various bacteria. After 24 hrs, RNA was extracted and quantitative RT-PCR performed for TLRs1-10. RESULTS: Treatment of fetal membranes with Mycoplasma hominis increased expression of TLR4, TLR6, and TLR8 mRNA. Ureaplasma parvum upregulated TLR8 mRNA, and Porphyromonas gingivalis significantly increased fetal membrane TLR7 expression. In contrast, treatment with Gram-negative Escherichia coli (and its cell wall component lipopolysaccharide) downregulated TLR10 mRNA. No effect was detected for Ureaplasma urealyticum, Gardnerella vaginalis, or Group B Streptococcus. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that different types of bacteria have distinct effects on fetal membrane TLR expression patterns. Moreover, these findings highlight the disparity of fetal membrane responses to infection and thus suggest heterogeneity in the mechanisms by which infection-associated pregnancy complications, such as pPROM and PTB, arise.

Periodontal disease and preterm birth.

Preterm birth (delivery at fewer than 37 weeks' gestation) is the most common cause of infant morbidity and mortality among nonanomalous infants in the United States. Increasing evidence has focused on associations between clinical infection, inflammation, and preterm birth. Maternal periodontal disease, which is associated with systemic inflammation, has been associated with preterm birth. Intervention trails for treatment of periodontal disease during pregnancy, however have not consistently shown a reduction in preterm birth rates. Despite the lack of reduction in preterm birth, oral health maintenance is an important part of preventive care and should be supported during pregnancy.

Immunization with oligomannose-coated liposome-entrapped dense granule protein 7 protects dams and offspring from Neospora caninum infection in mice.

The present study demonstrates that the subcutaneous administration of Neospora caninum dense granule protein 7 (NcGRA7) entrapped in liposomes coated with mannotriose strongly induces the parasite-specific T-helper type 1 immune response and humoral antibody in mice. Although anti-NcGRA7 immunoglobulin G1 antibody production was induced in mice injected with NcGRA7 alone, the dams and offspring were never protected from N. caninum infection. The immunization of mice with liposome-entrapped NcGRA7 before pregnancy resulted in increased offspring survival and decreased the infection rates in the brains of dams after parasite infection at 6 to 9 days of gestation. In conclusion, oligomannose-coated liposome-entrapped NcGRA7 can be used as a new type of effective vaccine to control neosporosis.