Viruses as Teratogens

Abstract

Many viruses can be transmitted to the fetus and cause infection and tissure damage. Five viruses are known to be teratogenic in humans: cytomegalovirus, rubella, herpes simplex, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, and varicella viruses. Other viruses which can infect and produce disease in the fetus are influenza, rubeola, Western equine encephalitis, variola, vaccinia, hepatitis B, echoviruses, and poliovirus. This chapter summarizes some of the newer findings for the five teratogenic viruses.