IRAK1 and infection: Infection is a well known risk factor associated with preterm delivery [2], and innate immune system receptors, Toll like receptors, via adaptor molecule myeloid differentiation primary response (MyD)88 [3] and TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-beta (TRIF) [3] and their down stream signaling molecule interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK)2 are expressed in uterus and placenta, and mediate the infection associated inflammatory responses [4-6].