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Hepatitis

Immunoregulation in pregnancy and perinatal transmission of HCV

Perinatal transmission of HCV is the main route of acquisition of HCV infection in children. Few studies have explored the mechanism of perinatal transmission, but a key role in transmission has been attributed to maternal viraemia. A new study now provides insights on the biological basis of this association.

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Figure 1: Risk factors for perinatal transmission of HCV.

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Correspondence to Giuseppe Indolfi.

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Indolfi, G., Azzari, C. & Resti, M. Immunoregulation in pregnancy and perinatal transmission of HCV. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 11, 6–7 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2013.230

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