Please look at TORCH test results and tell if there is any concern.

Question

Hello doctor,

My wife is 6 months pregnant. She underwent the TORCH test as there were two miscarriages in the past after one normal delivery. The result of the test is as follows:

Toxo Plasma-IgM: 4.30, Rubella IgM: 11.80, CMV IgM: 5.80, HSV 1 and 2 IgM: 0.58;
Toxo Plasma-IgG: 3.60 mIU/ml, Rubella IgG: 139 mIU/ml, CMV IgG: 104 mIU/ml, HSV 1 and 2 IgG: 10.20.

Is everything alright, or is there any matter of concern?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your wife's TORCH (toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, and HIV) test reports. There are two types of antibodies that were investigated, IgG and IgM, to exclude infection. The result could be positive or negative, depending on the findings of IgG and IgM.

A positive test result means IgG and IgM antibodies are found in one or more infections covered in screening. IgM antibodies indicate that there is a current or recent infection. You can have repeat testing to confirm it again from another authentic lab. The presence of IgG indicates a past infection or vaccination. Reinvestigation after two weeks of the test is better to confirm it, and again to compare antibodies as well.

In the meantime, inform the treating consultant of your results immediately. If the newborn tests positive for IgM antibodies, the current infection is the most likely cause. If both IgG and IgM are found in the newborn, it is probably antibodies from the mother transferred to the baby.

In short, she is having an infection, and that can harm the baby as well. A baby can have multiple congenital anomalies, such as congenital rubella and CMV (cytomegalovirus) syndrome, sensorineural defects, blindness, hearing loss, premature delivery, growth restriction, neonatal herpes, microcephaly, intracranial calcification, rash, conjunctivitis, thrombocytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, etc.

A detailed anomaly scan is needed urgently. If the mother gets an infection in the early trimester, is diagnosed with active infection, a few consultants give the option of termination as well, after describing the risks of having congenital anomalies due to active infection.

Immediately inform the treating consultant about the positive report, have a detailed fetal anomaly scan, and discuss with your obstetrician regarding the fetal outcome. Discussion regarding fetal anomalies could be heart-touching.

I hope this helps.

Kindly revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.