Review: Foodborne Infections during Pregnancy

摘要

The consequences of foodborne illness can be particularly devastating during pregnancy because both the woman and her fetus are at risk. Escalated production of progesterone during pregnancy leads to down-regulation of cellular (cell-mediated) immune functions. Many foodborne pathogens (and other pathogens) are intracellular pathogens, and infections caused by these pathogens are controlled by cell-mediated immunity. The pregnancy-induced decrease in cell-mediated immune functions leads to increased susceptibility of the pregnant woman to certain infections.