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TORCH syndrome is a cluster of symptoms caused by congenital infection with toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, and other organisms including syphilis, parvovirus, and Varicella zoster. [1] Zika virus is considered the most recent member of TORCH infections. [2]
Congenital toxoplasmosis is a specific form of toxoplasmosis in which an unborn fetus is infected via the placenta. [55] Congenital toxoplasmosis is associated with fetal death and miscarriage, and in infants, it is associated with hydrocephalus, cerebral calcifications and chorioretinitis, leading to encephalopathy and possibly blindness. [6]
Congenital toxoplasmosis may lead to hydrocephalus, seizures, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, rash, and fever. However, retinochoroiditis is the most common manifestation, occurring in 3/4 of cases. In congenital toxoplasmosis, the disease is bilateral in 65–85% of cases and involves the macula in 58%.
Dividing T. gondii parasites. Toxoplasma gondii (/ ˈ t ɒ k s ə ˌ p l æ z m ə ˈ ɡ ɒ n d i. aɪ,-iː /) is a species of parasitic alveolate that causes toxoplasmosis. [3] Found worldwide, T. gondii is capable of infecting virtually all warm-blooded animals, [4]: 1 but felids are the only known definitive hosts in which the parasite may undergo sexual reproduction.
Some vertically transmitted infections, such as toxoplasmosis and syphilis, can be effectively treated with antibiotics if the mother is diagnosed early in her pregnancy. Many viral vertically transmitted infections have no effective treatment, but some, notably rubella and varicella-zoster, can be prevented by vaccinating the mother prior to ...
HCMV is one of the vertically transmitted infections that lead to congenital abnormalities. (Others are: toxoplasmosis, rubella and herpes simplex.) Congenital HCMV infection occurs when the mother has a primary infection during pregnancy. [32] [33] [34] Up to 5 of every 1,000 live births are infected.
A congenital malformation is a physical anomaly that is deleterious, i.e. a structural defect perceived as a problem. A typical combination of malformations affecting more than one body part is referred to as a malformation syndrome .
The MMR vaccine is highly efficacious in preventing congenital rubella and is given routinely as a part of the pediatric vaccine schedule. [10] For neonates with congenital CMV infection, antiviral medication is given. Most commonly, valganciclovir or ganciclovir are used as first-line antiviral therapy for congenital CMV. [11]