Transplacental transfer of filarial antigens from<i>Wuchereria bancrofti</i>-infected mothers to their offspring

Abstract

Our study demonstrates the transplacental transfer of circulating filarial antigen from mother to cord. Filaria-specific IgM and IgE antibodies were higher in cord blood from infected mothers than from non-infected mothers. The findings of the study provide additional circumstantial evidence for pre-natal sensitization to filarial antigens developed in utero.