TORCH 11

Overview

Perinatal infections account for 2-3% of all congenital anomalies. TORCH which includes Toxoplasma, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus & Herpes Simplex virus, are some of the most common infections associated with Congenital anomalies. Most of the TORCH infections cause mild maternal morbidity, but have serious fetal consequences. Demonstration of Toxoplasma IgG in the serum of person with eye lesion helps in diagnosing Ocular toxoplasmosis while persistent or increasing IgG antibody levels in the infant compared with the mother and/or positive result of Toxoplasma specific IgM or IgA are diagnostic of Congenital toxoplasmosis. Demonstration of rising antibody titer (four fold) in acute and convalescent sera taken 2-3 weeks apart are indicative of postnatal Rubella infection and to check response to Rubella vaccination. Single test results of CMV IgG are useful in screening organ transplant recipients and donors before transplantation and donors of blood products that are to be administered to premature infants and bone marrow transplant patients. Positive result of HSV (1+2) IgG indicates past infection with Herpes Simplex virus or administration of HSV immunoglobulins.