ABSTRACT
During pregnancy, the immune system must accept the fetal allograft while maintaining defenses against other assaults. Several immunological parameters are measurably altered in the course of gestation, including a requirement for TH2 responses to prevent fetal loss, yet most microbes do not pose an increased threat for the pregnant woman. Susceptibility is increased during pregnancy to some intracellular pathogens, including Plasmodium falciparum. The anti-inflammatory bias of systemic immunity in the gravid woman, or the absence of effective host defense in the pregnant uterus, might contribute to this susceptibility.
