Pathogenesis of Congenital Hydrocephalus: Role of Transplacental Myxovirus Infection

Abstract

Several pediatric cases of hydrocephalus after mumps virus infection, have been reported. These cases are thought to be caused by ependymitis due to mumps virus infection. Clinical cases of congenital hydrocephalus possibly caused by intrauterine mumps virus infection are also accumulating. However, it has not yet been made clear whether mumps virus can pass through the human placenta and cause hydrocephalus. Our experimental studies demonstrated that mumps and parainfluenza virus type 3 could induce hydrocephalus by destructive ependymal infection in suckling hamsters, when they were inoculated intracerebrally or intraperitoneally. However, the transplacental infection of these viruses was extremely rare. These results show that myxoviruses such as mumps and parainfluenza virus may have a strong affinity to ependymal cells, and then they cause resultant ependymal destruction. Therefore, when the placenta is impaired so severely that these viruses are able to pass through the placental barrier, maternal infection wouldcause the hydrocephalus to the infant.