New insights into a persistent problem — chlamydial infections

In this context, one of the most rapidly growing areas of research in vaccinology is maternal immunization, aimed at transplacental protection via maternal antibodies. The report by Marchant (1) suggests that under appropriate conditions of prenatal stimulation, this protective net can potentially be broadened to include the generation of protective cellular immunity in the neonate. Further research into the underlying mechanism(s) of prenatal T cell priming in this and other congenital infections may provide important new clues to guide the development of safe vaccines that aim to achieve a comparable end.