$Unique_ID{BRK04277} $Pretitle{} $Title{TORCH Syndrome} $Subject{TORCH Syndrome Toxoplasmosis-Rubella-Cytomegalovirus-Herpes Syndrome} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1987, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. 350: TORCH Syndrome ** IMPORTANT ** It is possible the main title of the article (TORCH Syndrome) is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article. Synonyms Toxoplasmosis-Rubella-Cytomegalovirus-Herpes Syndrome General Discussion ** REMINDER ** The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources" section of this report. TORCH Syndrome is a combination of 4 infectious diseases. The syndrome can occur in newborn babies, children, or adults with an impaired immune system. The four infections are: Symptoms TORCH Syndrome is a combination of 4 infectious diseases. The syndrome can occur in newborn babies, children, or adults with an impaired immune system. They include: 1) Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease that can be caused by a microscopic parasitic organism called Toxoplasma gondii. This parasitic infection, found worldwide, can be either acquired or transmitted to an infant from an infected mother during pregnancy. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Toxoplasmosis" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.) 2) Rubella (German Measles) Rubella is a contagious virus infection characterized by swelling of the lymph glands and a skin rash. An infant born to a mother who is infected with the Rubella virus may have congenital defects such as poor vision, blindness and/or hearing impairment. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Rubella" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.) 3) Cytomegalovirus Infection Cytomegalovirus Infection (CMV) is a virus infection which may occur right after birth or at any age. CMV can range in severity from a silent infection without consequences, to a disease manifested by fever, hepatitis, and in newborns, severe brain damage, stillbirth or perinatal death. (For more information on this disorder, choose see "Cytomegalovirus" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.) 4) Herpes, Neonatal Neonatal Herpes is a very rare disorder affecting newborn infants infected with the Herpes simplex virus (HSV), also called Herpesvirus hominis. This disorder can vary from mild to severe. In most cases, the disorder is transmitted to an infant from an infected mother with active genital lesions at the time of delivery. Another technical possibility would be the transmission of the virus assymptomatically from mother to child at the time of delivery. In the event that a mother has a severe primary genital outbreak, it is possible that a mother could transmit the infection to the fetus. After delivery, direct contact with either genital or oral herpes sores could result in neonatal herpes. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Neonatal Herpes as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.) In the mild form, Neonatal Herpes may cause the skin, eyes, and mouth to become infected, and symptoms may recur for some time. Also, a mild case of neonatal herpes would likely include "blistery red lesions - lesions on the skin of an infant SHOULD be of great concern, but they no NOT necessarily mean the child will go on to develop serious disseminated disease. Severe neonatal herpes could be caused by either type 1 or type 2 infection. However, because the most common means of transmission is from mother to child at delivery, type 2 (which causes approximately 85% of genital herpes infections) would be more likely to cause neonatal herpes (in any form, mild to severe). In its severe form, Neonatal Herpes is a serious disease characterized by blistery (vesicular) red lesions of the skin and mucous membranes. Liver, spleen, lungs, brain, kidneys, and adrenal glands may also become infected. Causes The infectious TORCH Syndrome is caused by the Toxoplasmosis parasite and the 3 viruses causing Rubella, Cytomegalovirus infection, and Neonatal Herpes. In order for a patient to be affected by all of these very serious infections together, the victim must have an impaired immune system which makes it vulnerable to infections. Affected Population TORCH syndrome affects newborn infants or adults with an impaired immune system. Babies who are born with immune deficiencies and adults whose immunity is impaired as a result of cancer chemotherapy may be vulnerable to this syndrome. The syndrome has been found and studied in the United States, France, Italy, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand. Therapies: Standard Treatment for TORCH Syndrome encompasses the treatments for the four disorders which together form the syndrome. These include antibiotics and antiviral drugs aimed at treating the infectious agents. Therapies: Investigational This disease entry is based upon medical information available through September 1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder. Resources For more information on TORCH Syndrome, please contact: National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 8923 New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783 (203) 746-6518 Toxoplasmosis Interest Group 52 Edgell Street Gardner, MA 01440 (617) 632-7783 NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 (301) 496-5717 NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke (NINDS) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 (301) 496-5751 (800) 352-9424 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 1600 Clifton Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30333 (404) 639-3534 For information on genetics and genetic counseling referrals, please contact: March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation 1275 Mamaroneck Ave. White Plains, NY (914) 428-7100 Alliance of Genetic Support Groups 35 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 440 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 (800) 336-GENE (301) 652-5553 References THE TORCH SYNDROME, A CLINICAL REVIEW: J. D. Fine, and K. A. Arndt; Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (April 1985: issue 12,4). Pp. 2477-2478. TORCH, A LITERATURE REVIEW AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: L. Haggerty; Journal for Obstetric and Gynecological Nursing (March-April 1985: issue 14,2). Pp. 124-129.