Understanding the immunological mechanisms underlying Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy and new therapies and vaccines to prevent parasite infection and pathology.

A murine model of congenital toxoplasmosis was established and allowed the characterization of maternal immune cells, which are critical to controlling parasites and successful pregnancy. Maternal Toxoplasma gondii infection-induced inflammation and necrosis on the maternal-foetal interface and decreased serum levels of progesterone.

This model will be useful for testing the ability of putative vaccines and screening of new therapies to prevent vertical disease transmission.

Relevant publications

• Toxoplasma gondii infection reduces serum progesterone levels and adverse effects at the maternal-foetal interface.
  Brito, C., T, M. S., M, M. C., Wyrwas, W., Oliveira, B., B, M. F., . . . Borges, M.
  Parasite Immunol, 42(2), e12690, 2020
  doi:10.1111/pim.12690


• How does toxoplasmosis affect the maternal-foetal immune interface and pregnancy?
  Borges, M., Magalhaes Silva, T., Brito, C., Teixeira, N., & Roberts, C. W.
  Parasite Immunol, 41(3), e12606, 2019
  doi:10.1111/pim.12606


• Targeted macrophages delivery of rifampicin-loaded lipid nanoparticles to improve tuberculosis treatment.
  Vieira, A. C., Magalhaes, J., Rocha, S., Cardoso, M. S., Santos, S. G., Borges, M., . . . Reis, S.
  Nanomedicine (Lond), 12(24), 2721-2736, 2017
  doi:10.2217/nnm-2017-0248