TORCH - Infection profile

TORCHThe infection profile includes the identification of the following antibodies:

• Anti-Toxoplasma IgG
• Anti-Toxoplasma IgM
• Anti-rubella IgG
• Anti-rubella IgM
• Anti-cytomegalovirus IgG
• Anti-cytomegalovirus IgM
• Herpes simplex virus type 2 anti-IgG
• Herpes simplex virus type 2 anti-IgM
• Pale Treponema Test (TPHA) (Syphilis)
• Rapid Test for HIV (HIV)

TORCH syndrome It may sound like one illness, but in reality it is Infectious disease group, which can cause problems (some serious problems) - during pregnancy.

Infectious diseases:

T - Toxoplasmosis

O - Other agents (including HIV, syphilis, varicella and fifth disease)

R - rubella

C - Cytomegalovirus

H - Herpes simplex virus

If you get one of the TORCH infections during pregnancy and it is transmitted through your bloodstream to your fetus, it can also get the infection and because it is still developing in your womb, its immune system will probably not be able to fight the infection.

If the disease remains in the fetus's body, its organs may not develop properly. How much your fetus can get sick depends on several factors, including what condition it is in and how developed it is. The infection can cause many health problems - from jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) and hearing problems to miscarriage and stillbirth.

General Information

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis Is a parasitic disease (parasitosis) caused by an intracellular single-celled parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. In the life cycle of a parasite, humans are the intermediate hosts and members of the cat family are the ultimate hosts. Humans become infected by eating raw or undercooked meat that contains parasite cysts or by the water and food in which oocysts are found. Vertical transmission (fetal transplants) from the mother who developed the disease during pregnancy is important.

The parasite mainly affects the nervous system, eyes, skeletal muscles and heart.

There is no specific symptom characteristic of toxoplasmosis. In immunocompetent people it either occurs asymptomatically or with nonspecific symptoms - fatigue, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes (most often the neck lymph nodes).

Acute toxoplasmosis is asymptomatic in most pregnant women. Injury to the fetus occurs during transplacental transmission from a mother who became infected during pregnancy. Toxoplasmosis in the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and miscarriage.

Exposure to toxoplasmosis can lead to fetal problems such as:

• Chorioretinitis - inflammation of parts of the eye that can lead to blindness;
• Diffuse intracranial calcifications (brain damage);
• Hydrocephalus (larger head circumference, increased volume of fluid in the skull);
• Limited ability to use muscles (impaired motor functions);
• Convulsions.

Rubella

Rubella is a contagious disease caused by a virus. Symptoms of rubella include low-grade fever, sore throat, and rash. If a pregnant woman in the first trimester gets rubella, it is likely that the infection will be transmitted to the fetus as well. This can even lead to very serious complications such as miscarriage or birth defects in the baby.

The first trimester of pregnancy is the period when rubella can cause the most problems in terms of fetal development. It is therefore important to inform your doctor immediately of any suspected infection.

Congenital rubella syndrome is impossible to cure, therefore The main thing is prevention and timely immunization!

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Cytomegalovirus is an infection belonging to the group of herpes viruses. There is no cure for CMV, but it does improve on its own very quickly and does not cause serious problems - unless you are pregnant.

If a pregnant woman is a carrier of the infection, the infection may be transmitted to the fetus as well.

CMV is the most common viral infection that is transmitted transplacentally.

Complications of cytomegalovirus in children:

• Hearing and vision loss;
• Jaundice;
• Small mass at birth;
• Lung problems;
• Convulsions;
• Muscle weakness;
• Mental limitations.

Herpes simplex virus

Simple Herpes virus (HSV) It is an ancient and ubiquitous virus that causes acute and recurrent infections in humans. Transmission occurs through close contact with infected people. The virus enters the mucous membranes (eyes, mouth and genitals) and multiplies locally. The clinical course of the infection is variable and the symptoms can sometimes be minimal and unnoticed. Mainly develops rash, skin damage, genital tract damage and herpes of the newborn.

There are two types of herpes: HSV-1, which can cause blisters in the mouth but can also spread to the genitals. HSV-2 infection Is a sexually transmitted infection that causes genital herpes and can cause blisters or open sores on the genitals or anus. It can also cause oral herpes.

Herpes can be transmitted to a child in several ways:

• Intrauterine (rarely);
• Genital disease of pregnant women during childbirth (the most common way of infecting infants);
• In newborns;

Simple genital herpes in pregnant women is a indication for cesarean section.

Although rare, intrauterine infection of the fetus with the virus increases the risk of fetal death, may indicate preterm birth, microcephaly or hydrocephalus, defects of the central nervous system and the eye. A vesicular rash is also observed.

Perinatal and postnatal transmission leads to the development of a blistering rash on the skin, which affects the eyes, oral mucosa, oropharyngeal mucosa. Meningoencephalitis may develop with fever, seizures, neurological disorders. Cases of sepsis caused by herpes viruses in newborns have also been reported.

Profile serves TORCH-Prevention and diagnostics of infections by prescribing antibodies against them.

The greatest risk to the baby is if the first outbreak of herpes is observed during pregnancy. In this case the pregnant woman has fewer antibodies to fight the virus and the virus persists for a longer time.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Most children who are infected with HIV are infected from their mothers during pregnancy. If a pregnant woman is HIV-positive, tests may not show that the baby has an infection at birth, but it may appear later, even after 6 months. Children may experience symptoms such as delayed growth, pneumonia, or enlarged lymph nodes and abdomen.

If you have HIV and are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, antiretroviral medications can help reduce your chances of transmitting the virus to your baby.

Syphilis

Pregnant women in the first or second stage of syphilis - sexually transmitted disease (STD) - transmit the infection to infants in 75% of untreated cases.

Syphilis is caused by a bacterium (Treponema pallidum) and can cause serious problems for the baby's development. Many babies who get the infection before birth cannot survive (almost half) or die soon after birth.

Babies born with syphilis may have defective bones, anemia, meningitis, skin rashes, and nerve problems that can lead to blindness and deafness.

If you are pregnant, you should get tested for syphilis. If the test is positive, the infection is treated with antibiotics.

Profile serves TORCH-Prevention and diagnostics of infections by prescribing antibodies against them.

When should we take the test?

The TORCH panel is a screening test that detects antibodies directed against the described pathogens. It is best to do the test before delivery.

Depending on the class of antibodies detected, the stage of infection, the presence or absence of immunity can be assessed. TORCH profile screening is also recommended in pregnant women who have suspected TORCH infection (e.g., skin rash and other symptoms such as possible flu-like symptoms of cytomegalovirus or toxoplasmosis) and in infants with signs of TORCH syndrome.

Confirmation of an active infection may require more specific additional tests.

How to prepare for the test?

No special preparation is required for the test.

material Material

Venous blood

Of results possible Interpretation

If the test reveals abnormalities, it may be necessary to use additional methods of diagnostics. For this you must consult a specialist, who, taking into account the symptoms, will correctly select the appropriate tests to make an accurate diagnostics.

Resources

https://www.webmd.com/children/what-is-torch-syndrome