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'''TORCH Complex''' (aka TORCHES or the TORCH infections) is a medical [[acronym]] for a set of 5 [[congenital infection]]s (i.e. that are passed from an infected mother to her fetus). | |||
==Conditions== | |||
The diseases present similarly, involving the heart, skin, eye, and CNS. They all cause [[chorioretinitis]], [[microcephaly]], and focal cerebral [[calcification]]. | |||
It is possible for genetic conditions ([[Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome]]) to present in a similar manner.<ref name="pmid12833411">{{cite journal |author=Knoblauch H, Tennstedt C, Brueck W, ''et al'' |title=Two brothers with findings resembling congenital intrauterine infection-like syndrome (pseudo-TORCH syndrome) |journal=Am. J. Med. Genet. A |volume=120A |issue=2 |pages=261–5 |year=2003 |month=July |pmid=12833411 |doi=10.1002/ajmg.a.20138 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.a.20138}}</ref><ref name="pmid11226724">{{cite journal |author=Vivarelli R, Grosso S, Cioni M, ''et al'' |title=Pseudo-TORCH syndrome or Baraitser-Reardon syndrome: diagnostic criteria |journal=Brain Dev. |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=18–23 |year=2001 |month=March |pmid=11226724 |doi= |url=http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0387760400001881}}</ref> | |||
'''TORCH''' or '''TORCHES infections''' are a group of [[infection]]s that in a pregnant woman can lead to severe fetal anomalies or even fetal loss. They are a group of viral, and rarely bacterial infections, which gain access to the fetal bloodstream transplacentally via the chorionic villi. Hematogenous transmission may occur any time during gestation or occasionally -as with HIV and Hep B- at the time of delivery via maternal-to-fetal transfusion.<ref>Robbins and Cotran Pathological Basis of Disease, pg 480</ref> The mother often has a mild infection with few or no symptoms. ''TORCH'' is an [[acronym]]. | |||
===Initial four=== | |||
The infections are: | |||
# '''T''' – [[Toxoplasmosis|'''T'''oxoplasmosis]] / [[Toxoplasma gondii]] | |||
# '''O''' – Other infections (see below) | |||
# '''R''' – [[Rubella|'''R'''ubella]] | |||
# '''C''' – [[Cytomegalovirus|'''C'''ytomegalovirus]] | |||
# '''H''' – [[Herpes simplex virus|'''HE'''rpes simplex virus]] | |||
===Other=== | |||
The "O" can stand for "other agents", namely [[Hepatitis B]], [[Syphilis]], [[Varicella zoster virus|Varicella-Zoster Virus]], [[HIV]], and [[Parvovirus B19]]. | |||
[[Listeria]], [[E. coli]] and [[group B streptococci]] can also be acquired after membrane rupture and are the 3 most common causes of meningitis of the newborn. | |||
The acronym has also been listed as '''TORCHES''', for '''To'''xoplasmosis, '''R'''ubella, '''C'''MV, '''He'''rpes simplex, '''S'''yphilis. | |||
==History== | |||
There were originally four conditions,<ref name="pmid2850128">{{cite journal |author=Kinney JS, Kumar ML |title=Should we expand the TORCH complex? A description of clinical and diagnostic aspects of selected old and new agents |journal=Clin Perinatol |volume=15 |issue=4 |pages=727–44 |year=1988 |month=December |pmid=2850128 |doi= |url=}}</ref> with the "TO" referring to "Toxoplasma". The four-term form is still used in many modern references.<ref name="pmid16231309">{{cite journal |author=Abdel-Fattah SA, Bhat A, Illanes S, Bartha JL, Carrington D |title=TORCH test for fetal medicine indications: only CMV is necessary in the United Kingdom |journal=Prenat. Diagn. |volume=25 |issue=11 |pages=1028–31 |year=2005 |month=November |pmid=16231309 |doi=10.1002/pd.1242 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pd.1242}}</ref> The capitalization "ToRCH" is sometimes used in these contexts.<ref name="pmid16791006">{{cite journal |author=Li D, Yang H, Zhang WH, ''et al'' |title=A simple parallel analytical method of prenatal screening |journal=Gynecol. Obstet. Invest. |volume=62 |issue=4 |pages=220–5 |year=2006 |pmid=16791006 |doi=10.1159/000094092 |url=http://content.karger.com/produktedb/produkte.asp?typ=fulltext&file=GOI2006062004220}}</ref> | |||
Some uses of the term redefine the "O" as "other", and include other conditions under the "O", such as [[syphillis]].<ref name="pmid15552342">{{cite journal |author=França CM, Mugayar LR |title=Intrauterine infections: a literature review |journal=Spec Care Dentist |volume=24 |issue=5 |pages=250–3 |year=2004 |pmid=15552342 |doi= |url=}}</ref> | |||
==Features== | |||
Symptoms of a TORCH infection may include fever and poor feeding. The newborn is often [[Birth weight|small for gestational age]]. A [[petechia]]l rash on the skin may be present, with small reddish or purplish spots due to bleeding from capillaries under the skin. An enlarged liver and spleen ([[hepatosplenomegaly]]) is common, as is the yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes called [[jaundice]]. [[Hearing impairment]], eye problems, [[mental retardation]], [[autism]], and death can be caused by TORCH infections. | |||
==Diagnosis== | |||
When physical examination of the newborn shows signs of the TORCH syndrome, the examiner may test blood, urine, and spinal fluid for evidence of the infections listed above. Diagnosis can be confirmed by culture of one of the specific pathogens or by increased levels of [[IgM]] against the pathogen. | |||
==Treatment and prevention== | |||
Some of the TORCH infections, such as toxoplasmosis and syphilis, can be effectively treated with antibiotics if the mother is diagnosed early in her pregnancy. Many of the viral TORCH infections have no effective treatment, but some, notably rubella and varicella-zoster, can be prevented by [[Vaccination|vaccinating]] the mother prior to pregnancy. If the mother has active herpes simplex, delivery by [[Caesarean section]] can prevent the newborn from contact, and consequent infection, with this virus. | |||
==Prognosis== | |||
Each type of TORCH infection has a different prognosis. The stage of the pregnancy at the time of infection also can change the effect on the newborn. | |||
[[Category:Infectious diseases]] | |||
[[Category:Pediatrics]] | |||
[[Category:Obstetrics]] | |||
[[de:STORCH]] | |||
[[it:TORCH]] | |||
[[ja:TORCH症候群]] | |||
[[pl:Zespół TORCH]] | |||
==References== | |||
{{reflist|2}} | |||
{{Diseases of maternal transmission}} | |||
Revision as of 14:28, 13 January 2009
TORCH Complex (aka TORCHES or the TORCH infections) is a medical acronym for a set of 5 congenital infections (i.e. that are passed from an infected mother to her fetus).
Conditions
The diseases present similarly, involving the heart, skin, eye, and CNS. They all cause chorioretinitis, microcephaly, and focal cerebral calcification.
It is possible for genetic conditions (Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome) to present in a similar manner.[1][2]
TORCH or TORCHES infections are a group of infections that in a pregnant woman can lead to severe fetal anomalies or even fetal loss. They are a group of viral, and rarely bacterial infections, which gain access to the fetal bloodstream transplacentally via the chorionic villi. Hematogenous transmission may occur any time during gestation or occasionally -as with HIV and Hep B- at the time of delivery via maternal-to-fetal transfusion.[3] The mother often has a mild infection with few or no symptoms. TORCH is an acronym.
Initial four
The infections are:
- T – Toxoplasmosis / Toxoplasma gondii
- O – Other infections (see below)
- R – Rubella
- C – Cytomegalovirus
- H – HErpes simplex virus
Other
The "O" can stand for "other agents", namely Hepatitis B, Syphilis, Varicella-Zoster Virus, HIV, and Parvovirus B19.
Listeria, E. coli and group B streptococci can also be acquired after membrane rupture and are the 3 most common causes of meningitis of the newborn.
The acronym has also been listed as TORCHES, for Toxoplasmosis, Rubella, CMV, Herpes simplex, Syphilis.
History
There were originally four conditions,[4] with the "TO" referring to "Toxoplasma". The four-term form is still used in many modern references.[5] The capitalization "ToRCH" is sometimes used in these contexts.[6]
Some uses of the term redefine the "O" as "other", and include other conditions under the "O", such as syphillis.[7]
Features
Symptoms of a TORCH infection may include fever and poor feeding. The newborn is often small for gestational age. A petechial rash on the skin may be present, with small reddish or purplish spots due to bleeding from capillaries under the skin. An enlarged liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly) is common, as is the yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes called jaundice. Hearing impairment, eye problems, mental retardation, autism, and death can be caused by TORCH infections.
Diagnosis
When physical examination of the newborn shows signs of the TORCH syndrome, the examiner may test blood, urine, and spinal fluid for evidence of the infections listed above. Diagnosis can be confirmed by culture of one of the specific pathogens or by increased levels of IgM against the pathogen.
Treatment and prevention
Some of the TORCH infections, such as toxoplasmosis and syphilis, can be effectively treated with antibiotics if the mother is diagnosed early in her pregnancy. Many of the viral TORCH infections have no effective treatment, but some, notably rubella and varicella-zoster, can be prevented by vaccinating the mother prior to pregnancy. If the mother has active herpes simplex, delivery by Caesarean section can prevent the newborn from contact, and consequent infection, with this virus.
Prognosis
Each type of TORCH infection has a different prognosis. The stage of the pregnancy at the time of infection also can change the effect on the newborn.
References
- ↑ Knoblauch H, Tennstedt C, Brueck W; et al. (2003). "Two brothers with findings resembling congenital intrauterine infection-like syndrome (pseudo-TORCH syndrome)". Am. J. Med. Genet. A. 120A (2): 261–5. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.20138. PMID 12833411. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ Vivarelli R, Grosso S, Cioni M; et al. (2001). "Pseudo-TORCH syndrome or Baraitser-Reardon syndrome: diagnostic criteria". Brain Dev. 23 (1): 18–23. PMID 11226724. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ Robbins and Cotran Pathological Basis of Disease, pg 480
- ↑ Kinney JS, Kumar ML (1988). "Should we expand the TORCH complex? A description of clinical and diagnostic aspects of selected old and new agents". Clin Perinatol. 15 (4): 727–44. PMID 2850128. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ Abdel-Fattah SA, Bhat A, Illanes S, Bartha JL, Carrington D (2005). "TORCH test for fetal medicine indications: only CMV is necessary in the United Kingdom". Prenat. Diagn. 25 (11): 1028–31. doi:10.1002/pd.1242. PMID 16231309. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ Li D, Yang H, Zhang WH; et al. (2006). "A simple parallel analytical method of prenatal screening". Gynecol. Obstet. Invest. 62 (4): 220–5. doi:10.1159/000094092. PMID 16791006.
- ↑ França CM, Mugayar LR (2004). "Intrauterine infections: a literature review". Spec Care Dentist. 24 (5): 250–3. PMID 15552342.