What are the TORCH infections?
TORCH, which includes Toxoplasmosis, Other (syphilis, varicella-zoster, parvovirus B19), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Herpes infections, are some of the most common infections associated with congenital anomalies.
How do you remember TORCH infection?
There is a variation of this mnemonic that includes in utero syphilis infection:
- S: syphilis.
- T: toxoplasmosis.
- O: other (e.g. varicella-zoster, parvovirus B19)
- R: rubella.
- C: cytomegalovirus (CMV) – most common.
- H: herpes simplex virus (HSV)
What are the causes of TORCH infection?
TORCH Syndrome results from one of the TORCH agents having crossed the placenta during pregnancy. These infectious agents include Toxoplasma gondii, the single-celled microorganism (protozoa) responsible for Toxoplasmosis; rubella virus; cytomegalovirus; and herpes simplex viruses.
Is Listeria a TORCH infection?
TORCH is an acronym that stands for infections caused by Toxoplasma gondii; Other agents, such as syphilis, parvovirus B19, varicella zoster virus, and listeria; then there’s Rubella; Cytomegalovirus, and finally Herpes simplex virus-2 or HSV-2.
What are the symptoms of TORCH infection?
In addition, they can cause non-specific signs and symptoms in the fetus or infant, such as microcephaly, lethargy, cataracts, hearing loss, and congenital heart diseases. Other signs include hepatosplenomegaly, petechiae or purpura, jaundice, vision loss, intellectual disability, deafness, and seizures.
What happens if TORCH test is positive in pregnancy?
If you test positive for IgM antibodies during pregnancy, more testing will be done to confirm an infection. The presence of IgG antibodies in a pregnant woman usually indicates a past infection or immunity.
How can I prevent TORCH infection during pregnancy?
Prevention: Some of the vertically transmitted infections, such as toxoplasmosis and syphilis, can be effectively treated with antibiotics if the mother is diagnosed early in her pregnancy. Rubella and varicella-zoster can be prevented by vaccinating the mother prior to pregnancy.
Can toxoplasmosis be transmitted from human to human?
Toxoplasmosis is not passed from person-to-person, except in instances of mother-to-child (congenital) transmission and blood transfusion or organ transplantation. People typically become infected by three principal routes of transmission: Foodborne. Animal-to-human (zoonotic)