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	Podcast:		UC Science Today
	Episode:		A surprising discovery about a pathogen that can infect a fetus
	Category:		Science & Medicine
	Duration:		00:01:03
	Publish Date:		2017-02-23 18:00:00
	Description:		Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco have recently discovered the origin of Listeriosis. This is a foodborne disease that often strikes pregnant women and could affect the fetus, too. Microbiologist Anna Bakardjiev discovered a protein secreted by Listeria bacteria attacks the placenta – and this was surprising to her. "There are only very few pathogens that can infect the placenta and the baby during pregnancy. Placenta and the fetus are very protected against infection." But that specific protein has found a way to break through the placenta's protective barrier and help bacteria grow there rapidly. These findings challenge current thinking that a pregnant woman's weakened immune system increases susceptibility to the infection. "This is the first time I think for any kind of infection that we have identified the protein that is specifically important for the infection of the placenta." Bakardjiev says, this could help scientists develop new strategies to prevent and treat Listeriosis and other pregnancy complications triggered by infections.
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