Melabo Study

This NIH/NICHD funded research on placental pathology is essential for understanding how various abnormalities contribute to pregnancy complications and foetal health outcomes, particularly in the era of Universal Treatment options, where lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) is widely used for all pregnant individuals living with HIV. ART can influence placental morphology and function, making parameters like placental size, structure, and volume critical indicators of health.

Abnormalities in these features can reflect or predict complications, including foetal growth restriction, pre-eclampsia, and preterm birth. For instance, a small or thin placenta may suggest limited nutrient transfer, while an abnormally large or thick placenta could indicate diabetes, foetal anaemia, or metabolic disruptions. The aim of this study is to investigate the link between the vaginal microbiome, placental inflammation and dysfunctional T cell immune networks in placentae with adverse birth outcomes and subsequent infant responses to BCG vaccination.

This study will provide an understanding of immune mechanisms that disrupt FM balance and lay the foundation for interventions that will mitigate the risk of HIV/ART associated adverse birth outcomes.

Placenta tissues collected from consenting participants are analysed in our laboratory through a range of techniques focusing on cellular immunology, immunohistochemical/imaging techniques, and molecular transcriptomics to identify