TORCH PROFILE TEST

• TORCH profile test is a group of blood test which is perform during pregnancy.

• Test profile is done to diagnose several infection in newborn.

• TORCH infections refer to a group of infectious agents that can potentially harm a developing fetus if contracted by the mother during pregnancy.

• Torch infection are responsible for 2 to 3 % of all congenital disorder.

• The term ‘’TORCH’’ is acronym of following test

T - Toxoplasmosis

O – Other

R – Rubella

H – Herpes virus

1. Toxoplasmosis

• Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused when parasite Toxoplasma gondii enter in body.

• Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasite which commonly affect human.

• Infant infected with toxoplasmosis in the womb usually don’t show any symptoms for several year.

# Causative agent:

• Primary host for this parasite is cat as well as uncooked meat.

# Transmission:

o Mother to child

o Consumption contaminated food & water

o Contact with cat

# Symptoms: symptoms may include

o Fever

o Fatigue

o Muscle aches

o Headache

o Swollen lymph nodes

# Diagnosis:

o Blood test

o Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

o Ultrasound or MRI

# Treatment:

o Antimicrobial medications

# Complication:

o Blindness

o Miscarriage

o Toxoplasmic encephalitis

2. Other

• It include-

a. Chickenpox

b. Epestine barr virus

c. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

d. Hepatitis B & C

e. Syphilis

f. Measles

g. Human parvovirus

h. Mumps

3.Rubella

• Rubella, also known as German measles is a virus that cause rashes.

• Rubella is a viral infection that can easily passed from person to person through sneezing & coughing.

• Side effect of this infection in children is minor

# Causative agent

o German measles is causative agent of rubella

# Transmission:

o Through sneezing & coughing

o Direct contact with infected person

o Contaminated surface

# Symptoms: symptoms may include

o Rashes

o Mild fever

o Conjunctivitis

o Headache

o Swollen lymph nodes

# Diagnosis:

o Blood test

# Treatment:

o No specific antiviral treatment for rubella.

# Complication:

o Congenital Rubella Syndrome.

o Arthritis

o Encephalitis

# Prevention:

o Vaccination

o Good hygiene

4. Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

• Cytomegalovirus is a common virus in the herpesvirus family

• Most congenital infection in babies

• Mother can get CMV by sexual contact

# Causative agent

o Cytomegalovirus

# Transmission:

o Through sexual contact

o Direct contact with infected person

# Symptoms: symptoms may include

· In women

o Muscle aches

o fever

o sore throat

o Headache

o Swollen lymph nodes

· In children

o Jaundice

o Enlarged liver or spleen

o Hearing loss

o Vision loss

# Diagnosis:

o Blood test

o Virus isolation

o Polymerase chain reaction

# Treatment:

o Antiviral medications.

# Complication:

o Pneumonia.

o Gastrointestinal complications.

o Central nervous system disorders

o Vision problem

# Prevention:

o Avoid close contact with infected person

o Good hygiene

5. Herpes simplex virus

• Herpes Simplex Virus is a highly prevalent & contagious virus belongs to Herpesviridae family

• There are two main types of HSV:

a. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1:

o HSV-1 cause oral herpes infections which affect mouth, lips & face.

o HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes through oral-genital contact.

b. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2: HSV-2 primarily causes genital herpes.

# Causative agent

o Herpes Simplex virus

# Transmission:

o Through sexual contact

o Direct contact with infected person

o Oral – genital contact

# Symptoms: symptoms may include

• Common symptoms

o Muscle aches

o fever

o sore throat

o Headache

o Swollen lymph nodes

• Other symptoms

o Blisters around mouth or genital area

# Diagnosis:

o Virus isolation

o Polymerase chain reaction

o Serological test

# Treatment:

o Antiviral medications.

# Complication:

o Meningitis

o Encephalitis

o Neonatal herpes

o Increase risk for HIV infection

# Prevention:

o Avoid sexual contact during HSV

o Using barrier methods such as condoms

o Do not share personal items such as towles