Kristina M. Adams Waldorf, M.D.

Expertise:  Infectious disease in pregnancy, maternal-fetal immunity and tolerance, host-pathogen interaction, placental and fetal injury

Bacterial and viral infections in pregnancy can lead to a spectrum of complications including miscarriage, preterm birth, and injury to the fetus.  Pregnancy infections can also disrupt tolerance mechanisms within the placenta and maternal periphery that are critical for maintenance of the pregnancy. 

My laboratory is interested in understanding:

1. Virulence and host factors that contribute to bacterial and viral trafficking into the amniotic cavity and fetus
2. How activation of innate immune responses by pathogens within the placenta and amniotic fluid contributes to pregnancy complications and fetal injury
3. How disruption of maternal-fetal tolerance by pathogens contributes to preterm birth
4. The role of novel therapeutics to prevent preterm birth and fetal injury due to pathogens.  Within this context, our work has been mainly focused on preterm birth and fetal injury related to Group B Streptococcus and more recently, the Zika virus.