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$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.