Immortal pathogens and parasites can reach the fetus by crossing the placenta, through the bloodstream, or attached to other bacteria. During pregnancy, the type of acute or chronic infection, in the mother, affects the potential problems and chronic diseases the fetus may develop.
Pathogens with a predilection for particular types of tissue or organs, in an adult or an animal, will have the same predilection, in a fetus. Chlamydia pneumonia attacks cardiovascular tissue, lungs and brain. Chlamydia trachoma and psittacosis attack the eye and central nervous system, and can attack the lung. Toxoplasmosis and the Zika virus attack the brain, eyes and central nervous system; and Zika is a potential bacteriophage to toxoplasmosis. When the mother has prolonged gastrointestinal disease, the fetus may also be deprived of nutrients, critical for fetal development.
Science and practitioners need the ability to diagnosis new and old immortal infections, in the newborn, mother and all household members, when a newborn suffers a problem with fetal development or chronic disease.
