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Autism Risk Linked to Herpes Infection During Pregnancy
Laboratoryequipment.com/news ^ | 2/22/2017 | Columbia University's School of public health

Posted on 07/10/2017 2:21:14 PM PDT by Neoliberalnot

Women actively infected with genital herpes during early pregnancy had twice the odds of giving birth to a child later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a study by scientists at the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

The study is the first to provide immunological evidence on the role of gestational infection in autism, reporting an association between maternal anti-herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) antibodies and risk for ASD in offspring. Results appear in mSphere, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

"We believe the mother's immune response to HSV-2 could be disrupting fetal central nervous system development, raising risk for autism," says lead author Milada Mahic, a post-doctoral research scientist with the Center for Infection and Immunity and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

The authors do not believe that the risk is due to direct infection of the fetus because such infections are typically fatal. Instead, they suggest that neurodevelopmental outcomes are due to primary or reactivation of infection in mothers with inflammation in close proximity to the womb.

About one in five American women carries HSV-2, also known as genital herpes, a highly contagious and lifelong infection usually spread through sex. After an initial outbreak, HSV-2 virus lives in nerve cells and is often inactive, with flare-ups occurring with diminishing frequency as the body builds up immunity to the virus.

The researchers sought to explore the link between maternal infection and risk for autism, focusing on five pathogens known collectively as ToRCH agents—Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2—to which exposure during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage and birth defects.

(Excerpt) Read more at laboratoryequipment.com ...


TOPICS: Education; Health/Medicine; Science
KEYWORDS: autism; herpes; vaccination
"The cause or causes of most cases of autism are unknown," says senior author W. Ian Lipkin, director of the Center for Infection and Immunity. "But 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."
1 posted on 07/10/2017 2:21:14 PM PDT by Neoliberalnot
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To: Neoliberalnot

It would explain why Autism has arisen since the 60s. By product of an STD.


2 posted on 07/10/2017 2:23:41 PM PDT by wastoute (Government cannot redistribute wealth. Government can only redistribute poverty.)
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To: wastoute

It would explain why Autism has arisen since the 60s. By product of an STD.”

And there is a hoard of anti-vaxers blaming childhood vaccinations that have saved a 100 million lives. The problems are, no one wants to blame themselves and the lawyers looking for a deep pocket to rob.


3 posted on 07/10/2017 2:32:20 PM PDT by Neoliberalnot (Marxism works well only with the uneducated and the unar)
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To: wastoute
It would explain why Autism has arisen since the 60s. By product of an STD.

Yep. Free love, feminism, all the Progressive enlightenment about sexuality.

You can't fool Mother Nature.

4 posted on 07/10/2017 2:55:00 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler (Everywhere is freaks and hairies Dykes and fairies Tell me where is sanity?)
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To: wastoute

“It would explain why Autism has arisen since the 60s. By product of an STD”

It could be, but the entire autism spectrum / definition has grown since the 1960s too. Kids that used to be considered “weird” yet grew up to be quite normal would have been diagnosed with autism. Hell, I often wonder if *I* would have been diagnosed with Aspebergers had it been a more commonly known “disorder” in the 70s.

Something that wouldn’t shock me is the correlation between money dished out to states to get ‘autistic’ kids out of the classroom at the behest of teacher’s unions. That would basically cover a lot of kids that think outside the box ... basically throw them in learning disability classes and bore them to tears ...


5 posted on 07/10/2017 2:56:21 PM PDT by edh (I need a better tagline)
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To: Neoliberalnot

I have long suspected that it was lifestyle related. I though recreational drugs, but this also makes sense.

Certainly more sense than the anti-vax crowd.


6 posted on 07/10/2017 3:01:12 PM PDT by PAR35
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To: Neoliberalnot

Now we know how 4chan came to be...


7 posted on 07/10/2017 3:08:30 PM PDT by Eurotwit (FRexit? No. AdiEU. - Loud Mime)
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To: Neoliberalnot; wastoute; edh

Wonder if “The Pill” plays a role?


8 posted on 07/10/2017 3:11:48 PM PDT by Eagles6 (My weapons are lubricated by liberal tears.)
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To: Eagles6

Fever during pregnancy is also thought to play a role in at least 40% of cases.


9 posted on 07/10/2017 3:28:31 PM PDT by Neoliberalnot (Marxism works well only with the uneducated and the unar)
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To: Neoliberalnot

Lots of interesting info and ideas from Freepers on this thread.


10 posted on 07/10/2017 3:40:59 PM PDT by Eagles6 (My weapons are lubricated by liberal tears.)
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To: edh

I have taught in three different districts. Autistic kids are in the same classes as all of the other kids for all but a few minutes per day in most cases.


11 posted on 07/10/2017 4:38:02 PM PDT by gop4lyf (Gay marriage is neither. Democrats are the party of sore losers and pedophiles.)
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To: edh

Don’t forget that they weight the students, and the exceptional students bring more $$$$$ to the school. The “autism spectrum” is a sure way to that. Normal kids, who may think outside the box, or don’t fit the norm, can be easily diagnosed by “psychologists”.

I think the over use of ultrasound technology during pregnancy, bombarding preborn babies, is a big money maker in the medical industry, and has a lot to do with an increase in autism.
http://midwiferytoday.com/articles/ultrasoundrodgers.asp


12 posted on 07/11/2017 5:26:16 AM PDT by Bluebird Singing
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