María Alejandra López Zambrano

Dr. María Alejandra López Zambrano


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
28 October 2025 in Vaccine
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MZMaría Alejandra López Zambrano
María Alejandra López Zambrano
Amaya Sánchez-GómezAmaya Sánchez-Gómez
Amaya Sánchez-Gómez
MLM Dolores Lasheras
M Dolores Lasheras
MRMaría Ángeles Gutierrez Rodríguez
María Ángeles Gutierrez Rodríguez
SLSoledad Cañellas Llabrés
Soledad Cañellas Llabrés
MOMarta Molina Olivas
Marta Molina Olivas

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Alfonso J. Rodriguez-MoralesAlfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales
Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales
KAKatherine Acevedo-Jimenez
Katherine Acevedo-Jimenez
MGMaría Eugenia Guevara
María Eugenia Guevara
ACAlicia Chang-Cojulun
Alicia Chang-Cojulun
JCJosé Brea-Del Castillo
José Brea-Del Castillo
JSJosé Antonio Suárez
José Antonio Suárez
Yellow fever remains a major public health threat in endemic and re-emerging regions of Africa and South America, with recent outbreaks highlighting persistent gaps in prevention and surveillance. Pregnant women represent a particularly vulnerable population, yet the epidemiology, clinical impact, and preventive strategies for yellow fever in pregnancy are insufficiently characterized. Physiological and immunological changes during gestation may influence host responses to infection; however, current evidence does not demonstrate increased susceptibility to or severity of yellow fever during pregnancy. Adverse materno-fetal outcomes, including miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, and, in rare cases, perinatal transmission, have been reported but remain poorly characterized. Diagnostic challenges, overlapping clinical presentations with other arboviral and hepatic diseases, and limited access to specialized care further complicate clinical management in many endemic settings. This perspective provides a comprehensive overview of yellow fever in pregnancy during the 2024–2026 outbreak in the Americas, including a risk-stratification framework for prevention. We summarize current evidence on epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and supportive care, and examine prevention strategies with particular emphasis on vaccination. Accumulated observational evidence and substantial real-world experience have not demonstrated an increased risk of serious adverse events and generally support the effectiveness of yellow fever vaccination during pregnancy when administered with appropriate clinical judgment. In high-risk settings, the benefits of maternal immunization clearly outweigh theoretical concerns, supporting a flexible, risk-based approach, despite relatively limited evidence. We also discuss national and international policies, post-pregnancy booster recommendations, and the importance of integrating vaccination assessment into antenatal care. Finally, we highlight critical knowledge gaps and research priorities, including the need for prospective registries and strengthened pharmacovigilance. Coordinated clinical and public health strategies are essential to protect maternal and neonatal health and to reduce the burden of yellow fever in endemic and re-emerging settings.

6 March 2026 in Preprints.org
Verified
Preprint
Open access
PDF file
Alfonso J. Rodriguez-MoralesAlfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales
Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales
KAKatherine Acevedo-Jimenez
Katherine Acevedo-Jimenez
MGMaría Eugenia Guevara
María Eugenia Guevara
ACAlicia Chang-Cojulun
Alicia Chang-Cojulun
JCJosé Brea-Del Castillo
José Brea-Del Castillo
JSJosé Antonio Suárez
José Antonio Suárez
Yellow fever remains a major public health threat in endemic and re-emerging regions of Africa and South America, with recent outbreaks highlighting persistent gaps in prevention and surveillance. Pregnant women represent a particularly vulnerable population, yet the epidemiology, clinical impact, and preventive strategies for yellow fever in pregnancy are insufficiently characterized. Physiological and immunological changes during gestation may increase susceptibility to severe disease and contribute to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, including miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, and, in rare cases, perinatal transmission. Diagnostic challenges, overlapping clinical presentations with other arboviral and hepatic diseases, and limited access to specialized care further complicate clinical management in many endemic settings. This perspective provides a comprehensive overview of yellow fever in pregnancy during the 2024–2026 outbreak in the Americas, including a risk-stratification framework for prevention. We summarize current evidence on epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and supportive care, and examine prevention strategies with particular emphasis on vaccination. Accumulated observational evidence and substantial real-world experience have not demonstrated an increased risk of serious adverse events and generally support the effectiveness of yellow fever vaccination during pregnancy when administered with appropriate clinical judgment. In high-risk settings, the benefits of maternal immunization clearly outweigh theoretical concerns, supporting a flexible, risk-based approach, despite relatively limited evidence. We also discuss national and international policies, post-pregnancy booster recommendations, and the importance of integrating vaccination assessment into antenatal care. Finally, we highlight critical knowledge gaps and research priorities, including the need for prospective registries and strengthened pharmacovigilance. Coordinated clinical and public health strategies are essential to protect maternal and neonatal health and to reduce the burden of yellow fever in endemic and re-emerging settings.