TORCH Complex

Excerpt

The term TORCH complex or TORCHes infection refers to the congenital infections of toxoplasmosis, others(Syphilis, Hepatitis B), rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and herpes simplex. These are caused by Toxoplasma gondii, Treponema pallidum, Hepatitis B virus, Rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes virus simplex (HSV) viruses respectively. Other pathogens associated with congenital infections include human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), parvovirus, and varicella virus.

It is the intrauterine transmission of these infections to the fetus which produces multiple symptoms when the child is born. Maternal risk factors include lapsed immunizations, sexually transmitted infections, and animal exposures during pregnancy. The timing of maternal infection if a key epidemiologic factor because fetal damage usually depends on the gestational age. With the exception of HSV, infections during the first trimester have the worst outcome.