Malaria in pregnancy : deadly parasite, susceptible host

Malaria in pregnancy has been a long-standing conundrum - why do women immune to the parasite after years of exposure suddenly become susceptible to infection during first pregnancies? Recent scientific breakthroughs have shed new light on interactions between the malaria parasite and the placenta, and raised hope for new drugs and vaccines to protect young mothers.
The current understanding of malaria in pregnancy and the continued controversies surrounding this syndrome will fascinate all students, scientists and policy-makers interested in infectious disease and women's health.