TORCH Infection PDF
TORCH Infection PDF
TORCH Infection PDF
KEYWORDS
TORCH Toxoplasmosis Treponema pallidum Rubella Parvovirus HIV
Hepatitis B Hepatitis C
KEY POINTS
The TORCH pneumonic typically comprises toxoplasmosis, Treponema pallidum, rubella,
cytomegalovirus, herpesvirus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodefi-
ciency virus and other viruses, including varicella, parvovirus B19.
These infections are well-described causes of stillbirth and may account for up to half of all
perinatal deaths globally.
The burden is especially great in developing countries.
Stigmata of disease may be seen at birth, in the early neonatal period, or later.
Treatment strategies are available for many of the TORCH infections.
Early recognition, including maternal prenatal screening and treatment when available, are
key aspects in management of TORCH infections.
INTRODUCTION
Table 1
Worldwide prevalence estimates of selected TORCH infections
because the fetal origins of adult disease are now increasingly recognized. The
infected newborn infant may show abnormal growth, developmental anomalies, or
multiple clinical and laboratory abnormalities. Many of the clinical syndromes for those
viruses that present in the immediate neonatal period overlap, as shown in Table 2.15
Some have classic physical stigmata, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.16,17 For many of
these pathogens, treatment or prevention strategies are available; early recognition,
including prenatal screening, is key, and recognized national and international stan-
dards and protocols are available to the provider. This article covers toxoplasmosis,
parvovirus B19, syphilis, rubella, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV),
HIV; other sections are dedicated to HSV, CMV, and varicella zoster virus.
TOXOPLASMOSIS
Disease Description
The protozoa Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite, which is ubiquitous
in the environment, and whose only definitive hosts are members of the feline family. The
forms of the parasite are oocysts, which contain sporozoites; these sporozoites divide
and become tachyzoites; tachyzoites localize in neural and muscle tissue and develop
under the pressure of the host immune system into bradyzoites, which congregate
into tissue cysts. These cysts remain in skeletal and heart muscle, brain and retinal tissue,
and lymph nodes. Cats acquire the infection either by consuming tissue cysts from their
prey or ingesting oocysts in soil. Replication occurs in the intestine of the cat, and oocysts
are formed, excreted, and sporulate to become infectious in as little as 24 hours.18–21
Transmission/Pathogenesis
Both animals in the wild and animals bred for human consumption may become
infected from oocysts in the environment. Human infection (other than congenital) oc-
curs by ingestion of the tissue cysts from undercooked or raw meat or oocysts from
contact with cat feces or contaminated food or soil, or from transfusion of blood prod-
ucts or organ transplantation. Three genotypes (I, II, III) of T gondii have been isolated.
Table 2
Clinical findings associated with selected TORCH infections
Intracranial Hearing
Hepatosplenomegaly Cardiac Lesions Skin Lesions Hydrocephalus Microcephaly Calcifications Ocular Disease Deficits
Toxoplasmosis 1 ( ) Petechiae/purpura, 11 1 Diffuse Chorioretinitis ( )
maculopapular intracranial
rash calcifications
Treponema 1 ( ) Petechiae/purpura, ( ) ( ) ( ) Chorioretinitis, ( )
pallidum maculopapular glaucoma
rash
Rubella 1 Patent ductus Petechiae/purpura 1 ( ) ( ) Chorioretinitis, 11
arteriosus, cataracts,
pulmonary microphthalmia
artery stenosis,
myocarditis
CMV 1 1 Petechiae/purpura ( ) 11 Periventricular Chorioretinitis 11
calcifications
HSV 1 Myocarditis Petechiae/purpura, 1 1 ( ) Chorioretinitis, 1
vesicles cataracts
Parvovirus 1 Myocarditis Subcutaneous ( ) ( ) ( ) Microphthalmia, ( )
B19 edema, petechiae retinal and
corneal
TORCH Infections
abnormalities
Adapted from Remington J, Klein J, Wilson C, et al, editors. Infectious diseases of the fetus and newborn infant. 7th edition. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders, 2011;
with permission.
3
4 Neu et al
Fig. 1. Ophthalmologic and cerebral findings of congenital toxoplasmosis. (A) Diffuse intra-
cerebral calcifications and hydrocephalus. (B) Acute retinitis.
Epidemiology
Seroprevalence in pregnant women varies greatly among countries; the highest
prevalence is noted in regions with tropical climates, where the oocysts can survive
Fig. 2. Cutaneous and ophthalmologic findings of congenital rubell. (A) Purpuric “blueberry
muffin rash and (B) Cataracts. (Courtesy of CDC Public Health Image Library.)
TORCH Infections 5
in soil, as well as countries with dietary customs of raw meat consumption. Seropre-
valence among Brazilian, French women, and women in the United States at child-
bearing age is approximately 77%, 44%, and 11%, respectively. Prevalence of
congenital infection ranges from 0.1 to 0.01 per 1000 live births, with concomitant
decrease in both maternal prevalence and congenital infection as a result of aggres-
sive screening approaches in certain countries.8,18,23,26,27
Clinical Correlation
Most (70%–90%) infants infected with T gondii are asymptomatic at birth; the classic
diagnostic triad of symptoms (chorioretinitis, hydrocephalus, and intracranial calcifi-
cations) is rare but still remains highly suggestive. More common manifestations
include18,22:
Anemia
Seizures
Jaundice
Splenomegaly
Hepatomegaly
Thrombocytopenia
The signs and symptoms of T gondii overlap other TORCH infections; more severe
manifestations usually indicate infection earlier in gestation, whereas fetal infections
occurring in the third trimester are usually subclinical at birth. Newborns who show
mild or no signs and symptoms are still at high risk for development of late manifes-
tations and sequelae of the disease.28,29 These manifestations and sequelae
include:
Chorioretinitis
Approximately 20% of infants are noted to have retinal lesions at birth, but up
to 90% of untreated congenitally infected infants develop chorioretinitis, into
and including early adulthood30
Motor and cerebellar dysfunction
6 Neu et al
Microcephaly
Seizures
Intellectual disability (mental retardation)
Sensorineural hearing loss
Discussion
Diagnosis and treatment
Prenatal There is no 1 universally endorsed screening protocol for T gondii in pregnant
women: most providers take a risk factor–based approach,8,25 and screen based on
suspicious findings (ie, hydrocephalus, cerebral, hepatic, or splenic calcifications) on
ultrasonography. Maternal screening comprises31,32:
T gondii IgM
This test has a high false-positive rate and may persist for up to 2 years after
acute infection
T gondii IgG
More sensitive techniques such as IgG avidity testing allow for more accurate
timing of maternal infection
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Amniotic fluid PCR at 18 weeks’ gestation can determine fetal infection and
guide medical therapy
Maternal treatment
For maternal infection diagnosed before 18 weeks’ gestation, treatment begins
with spiramycin until PCR and ultrasonography results are available25,28
If fetal infection is confirmed, treatment switches to pyramethamine sulfadiazine
and folinic acid, and spiramycin
No trial data exist on the efficacy of either of these therapies to reduce transmis-
sion to the fetus or reduce disease burden in congenitally infected infants; how-
ever, observational data29 do suggest both decreased fetal infection and
incidence of serious neurologic sequelae
TREPONEMA PALLIDUM
Disease Description
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete Treponema pal-
lidum. Unlike many other congenital infections, syphilis is treatable, and thus,
TORCH Infections 7
preventing infection of the infant is possible. Infection may occur in the newborn as a
result of transmission of spirochetes across the placenta during pregnancy.
Transmission/Pathogenesis
Characteristic features of congenital infection are detectable after 18 to 22 weeks’
gestation, when the fetal immune response occurs. It has been postulated33,34 that
congestion of the placenta as a result of infection may cause constricted blood flow
and result in severe adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as miscarriage and stillbirth.
Diagnosis and treatment of syphilis in the mother during antepartum visits is critical for
prevention of maternal to child transmission (MTCT) of syphilis. Recognizing the
stages of maternal infection is important. The primary stage (3–6 weeks) presents
as a painless, spontaneously resolving papule. The secondary stage occurs 6 to
8 weeks later, with diffuse inflammation and a disseminated rash (often on the palms
and soles). The latent stage then occurs, in which women are characteristically
asymptomatic. If untreated, maternal syphilis may then progress to the final or tertiary
stage of the disease, which is characterized by granulomas affecting the bones and
joints as well as the cardiovascular and neurologic systems. Infection of the neonate
occurs when maternal infection is active, inadequately treated, or untreated.
Risk for congenital syphilis is dependent on the stage of maternal infection and the
stage of infection at the time of exposure during pregnancy. One of the most important
risk factors for neonatal infection is lack of maternal prenatal care, including antenatal
clinic visits, screening, and treatment of syphilis.35 Other factors that increase the risk
of transmission of congenital syphilis include high nontreponemal test titers, early
stages of syphilis during pregnancy, late treatment of infection (eg, short time between
treatment and delivery), and lack of complete treatment.36
Epidemiology
MTCT of syphilis is declining but is still prevalent in the United States. The US Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the annual rate of primary or
secondary syphilis among women was 0.9 cases per 100,000, representing approxi-
mately 1500 cases in 2012.37 The incidence of congenital syphilis was 7.8 cases per
100,000 live births for a total of 322 congenital cases reported in 2012.38 Southern
states in the United States have the highest incidence of MTCT of syphilis.39 Global es-
timates of pregnant women with syphilis indicate that approximately 2 million women
were infected in 2003 and 1.4 million cases in 2008.35,40 World Health Organization
(WHO) data are based on voluntary reporting by countries, which is incomplete and var-
iable. However, from reported data, it can be concluded that maternal syphilis is a sig-
nificant problem in African countries as well as countries in the Americas.
In addition, recent increases in seroprevalence have also been documented in
China.37 In 2007, WHO launched a program for the global elimination of syphilis
with the goal of 50 or fewer cases of congenital syphilis per 100,000 live births. These
goals were to be achieved by structured service delivery interventions, including
increasing the number of women having at least 1 antenatal care visit (95% compli-
ance), increased testing of pregnant women (95% compliance), and early treatment
of syphilis in pregnancy (95% compliance).40,41
Clinical Correlation
A recent literature review and meta-analysis on adverse outcomes of maternal syphilis
infection from 1917 to 200042 showed that the range of adverse pregnancy outcomes
ranged from 53% to 82% in untreated women versus 10% to 20% in women without syph-
ilis. A study to estimate global impact of adverse outcomes in pregnancy based on antenatal
8 Neu et al
surveillance found that 520,905 adverse outcomes occurred because of maternal syphilis.
These estimates included 212,327 stillbirths, 92,764 neonatal deaths, 65,267 preterm or low
birth weight infants, and 151,547 infected newborns.35 Approximately 66% of the adverse
outcomes occurred in antenatal clinic attendees who were not screened or treated.
Clinical evidence of congenital syphilis may be characterized as early manifestations
(within 2 years) and late. Early findings may include hepatosplenomegaly, snuffles (nasal
secretions), lymphadenopathy, mucous membrane lesions, pneumonia, osteochondritis
and pseudoparalysis, maculopapular rash, edema, Coombs negative hemolytic anemia,
and thrombocytopenia. Untreated infants, even those without early evidence of infection,
may present with manifestations involving the central nervous system, bone and joint,
teeth, eyes, and skin. Table 3 shows both early and late sequelae of congenital syphilis.43
Discussion
Diagnosis and treatment
Prenatal Maternal screening
All pregnant women should be screened for syphilis at the first prenatal visit;
many advocate repeat screening at the time of delivery44
Maternal treatment comprises:
Intramuscular (IM) benzathine penicillin; pregnant women with syphilis who are
allergic to penicillin should be desensitized
Postnatal
Diagnosis of congenital syphilis may be made by examination of the placenta
(dark field microscopy to detect spirochetes, which is clinically and practically
not available in most settings)
Table 3
Selected early and late sequelae of congenital syphilis
Adapted from Follett T, Clarke D. Resurgence of congenital syphilis: diagnosis and treatment.
Neonatal Netw 2011;30(5):320–8.
TORCH Infections 9
After evaluation of maternal testing, the infant should be tested using standard
nontreponemal serologic tests, including:
The Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test or
The rapid plasma regain test
Nontreponemal tests detect antibodies to the cardiolipin
False-negative results may occur in congenital syphilis as a result of high titers
(called the prozone effect), and thus, diluting the sample before testing is
recommended
Reactive nontreponemal tests should be confirmed with a Treponema-specific
test, such as:
Fluorescent antibody absorption, microhemagglutination tests for antibodies
to T pallidum, T pallidum enzyme immunoassay, or T pallidum particle agglu-
tination tests.
Guidance on interpretation of maternal and infant testing, as well as the treatment
guidelines endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) are provided on
page 695 of the AAP 2012 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases.45
RUBELLA
Disease Description
Congenital rubella is infection with a single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus. Trans-
mission and infection of the mother occurs by inhalation of aerosolized particles from
an infected individual.
Transmission/Pathogenesis
Congenital rubella occurs primarily after maternal infection in the first trimester (80%–
100%), with decreasing risk to the fetus of congenital infection in the second
trimester (10%–20%), but higher risk again at term (up to 60%). Infection with the
rubella virus causes cellular damage as well as having an effect on dividing cells.
The pathologic effects result in progressive necrotizing vasculitis and focal inflamma-
tory response.46 Infection may also result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital
rubella syndrome (CRS). There is a higher risk of vertical transmission (80%–90%)
from a nonimmune mother with primary rubella infection in the first trimester of preg-
nancy, and infection during this period is associated with the most severe manifes-
tations at birth.
Epidemiology
Indigenous rubella transmission and CRS were declared eliminated in the United
States in 2004.47 However, worldwide, it is estimated that around 110,000 infants
are born with CRS every year, and WHO has targeted regional elimination of CRS
by 2015.48
Clinical Correlation
The classic picture of CRS is a small for age infant with a constellation of anomalies,
including:
Sensorineural deafness (66%)
Cataracts (78%)
Cardiac defects (58%)49:
Patent ductus arteriosus
Pulmonary artery stenosis
Coarctation of aorta
10 Neu et al
Discussion
Diagnosis, prevention, and treatment
Prenatal Prevention of congenital rubella is achieved by providing rubella vaccination
to all children and adolescents. Women who are of childbearing age should have ev-
idence of immunity to rubella. If they are fond to be nonimmune, the Advisory Commit-
tee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation is for vaccination with 1 dose
of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Pregnant women should have serologic
screening with rubella IgG if they lack evidence of rubella immunity; those who are
not immune should be vaccinated with 1 dose of the MMR vaccine on completion
of their pregnancies and be counseled to avoid becoming pregnant for 28 days after
administration of MMR vaccine.50
Postnatal Case definitions and testing recommendations for suspected and probable
CRS were published by the CDC in 2009.48 Diagnosis can be based on:
Isolation of the virus by PCR or culture
Rubella-specific IgM, which is usually positive at birth to 3 months for congenital
infection
This diagnosis is confirmed by stable or increasing serum concentrations of
rubella-specific IgG over the first 7 to 11 months of life
False-positive IgM can occur
- Avidity testing of IgG can help diagnose recent infection
Rubella virus RNA can be also be detected by reverse transcriptase PCR in naso-
pharyngeal swabs, urine, CSF, and blood at birth48
Specific treatment of infected children is not available. All suspected cases of CRS
should be reported to the CDC. All infants with CRS are considered contagious until at
least 1 year of age, unless 2 cultures of clinical specimens obtained 1 month apart are
negative for rubella virus after 3 months of age.51
PARVOVIRUS B19
Disease Description
Human parvovirus B19 is a single-stranded DNA virus in the family Parvoviridae.
Parvovirus B19 is primarily transmitted by respiratory droplets, but infection from
blood products as well as prenatal vertical transmission can occur.
Transmission/Pathogenesis
Approximately 35% to 55% women of childbearing age are not immune to parvovirus.
The incidence of parvovirus infection in pregnancy is approximately 1% to 2%, with
TORCH Infections 11
Discussion
Diagnosis and treatment
Prenatal There is no endorsed routine screening protocol for parvovirus in pregnant
women. Diagnosis of infection is made whether caused by maternal symptoms with
the classic clinical presentation, suspicious finding (ie, hydrops fetalis) on screening
ultrasonography, or known maternal exposure.52,55,58,59
Diagnosis of maternal infection57:
Parvovirus IgM
Becomes detectable in serum 7 to 10 days after infection, peaks at 10 to 14 days
The sensitivity of IgM antibody detection between 8 and 12 weeks after
maternal infection is reported as 60% to 70%
12 Neu et al
Epidemiology
Perinatally acquired HIV-1 infection is less common in the United States as a result of
earlier identification of maternal HIV infection, access to comprehensive HIV treatment
programs, including combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) for pregnant women,
and the avoidance of breastfeeding. The perinatal transmission rate has been reduced
from 18% to 32% in the preantiretroviral era to 1% to 2% in the United States as a
result of these interventions.66 In 2011, it was estimated that there were 192 children
younger than 13 years who were diagnosed with HIV in the United States.67 Globally,
WHO estimates that there are 3.2 million children younger than 15 years living with
HIV. Most (>90%) of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa. Interventions instituted
in resource-limited settings have reduced the estimated number of children newly
TORCH Infections 13
infected with HIV from greater than 400,000 in 2009 to approximately 200,000 in
2013.68 HIV-2 is endemic in some West African countries but rare in the United States
and is not discussed further in this article. Table 4, from the Global Update on Health
Sector Response to HIV, describes the impact of efforts to prevent MTCT of HIV.
Transmission/Pathogenesis
There are several factors that increase the risk of perinatal HIV transmission. These
factors include maternal plasma viral load, maternal CD4 count, more advanced
WHO clinical disease stage, breastfeeding and mastitis, and acute maternal infec-
tion.69,70 A recent meta-analysis71 reported that incident HIV during pregnancy and
postpartum was associated with a significantly higher risk of MTCT of HIV. Table 5
shows the timing of HIV transmission and some possible mechanisms for
transmission.72,73
Discussion
Diagnosis and treatment
In the United States, recommendations for HIV testing in early pregnancy have been
promoted by many prominent medical service groups, including the Panel on
Table 4
The global impact of prevention of MTCT
Estimated
Cumulative
Number of
Infections
Estimated Averted by
Estimated Number of Mother-to-Child Estimated Number of Prevention
Pregnant Women Living Transmission Rate Children Newly Infected of MTCT
Year with HIV (Range) of HIV (Range) (%) with HIV (Range) (Range)a
2005 1,410,000 33 (31–36) 470,000 (430,000–510,000) 41,000
(1,320,000–1,520,000)
2006 1,390,000 32 (30–35) 450,000 (420,000–490,000) 73,000
(1,290,000–1,490,000)
2007 1,370,000 31 (29–33) 420,000 (390,000–460,000) 130,000
(1,270,000–1,470,000)
2008 1,360,000 29 (27–31) 400,000 (360,000–430,000) 200,000
(1,260,000–1,450,000)
2009b 1,340,000 26 (24–28) 350,000 (310,000–380,000) 320,000
(1,250,000–1,430,000)
2010 1,330,000 23 (21–25) 300,000 (280,000–330,000) 480,000
(1,230,000–1,420,000)
2011 1,310,000 21 (20–23) 280,000 (250,000–300,000) 660,000
(1,210,000–1,400,000)
2012 1,290,000 17 (16–19) 220,000 (200,000–250,000) 880,000
(1,190,000–1,380,000)
2013 1,260,000 16 (15–17) 200,000 (170,000–230,000) 1,120,000
(1,170,000–1,360,000)
a
Compared with the counterfactual scenario in which no ARVs are provided for MTCT.
b
Baseline year for the Global Plan.
From WHO. Global update on the health sector response to HIV, 2014. Geneva: World Health
Organization, 2014; with permission.
14 Neu et al
Table 5
Mechanisms and timing of MTCT of HIV
Timing of
Transmission Rate (%) Mechanism Prevention
In utero Approximately 30 Placental breakdown and Early maternal diagnosis
microtransfusions; Maternal cART
chorioamnionitis
Intrapartum Approximately 50 Contact with infant mucous cART
membranes and >4 h rupture Cesarean section
of amniotic membranes Neonatal ART
Breastfeeding Approximately 20 Contact with infant mucous No breastfeeding
membranes
Postnatal testing of HIV-exposed infants Diagnosis of HIV infection in infants requires the
use of nucleic acid tests (NATs), including HIV DNA or HIV RNA assays. For high-risk
exposures, such as maternal HIV, or when maternal HIV status is unknown, testing of the
infant at birth is recommended.75 In general, testing for the HIV-exposed infant should be:
Within 48 hours of birth
At 2 weeks of life
At 4 to 6 weeks of life
At 4 to 6 months of life
Both HIV DNA PCR and qualitative HIV RNA are sensitive for the diagnosis of peri-
natally acquired infection, although HIV DNA PCR may be less affected by cART.
Therefore, infants who receive cART at birth should be retested with an HIV NAT to
4 weeks after cessation of cART. HIV RNA testing of infants does have the advantage
of being more sensitive than HIV DNA PCR for nonsubtype B viruses, which are found
around the world. An HIV-exposed infant is generally considered to be HIV-1 negative
if the HIV NAT is negative at up to 4 months of age. Any infant with a positive HIV NAT
should have the test repeated immediately to confirm the result.75
Treatment Early cART for HIV-infected infants is associated with reduced mortality
and attainment of normal developmental milestones and gross motor skills when
compared with infants who have cART delayed.81,82 The reported functional cure in
an HIV-infected child in Mississippi led many experts to consider early cART initiation
for HIV-exposed infants. This child was treated at 30 hours of life to 18 months of age
and maintained HIV viral suppression for a period.83 However, current data now show
HIV viral rebound in this child off therapy. Therefore, empirical treatment at birth and
interruption of therapy after early initiation cannot be recommended.84
TORCH Infections 15
The latest guideline recommendations for infant antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis are
shown in Table 6 and include85:
Six-week zidovudine regimen or 4-week regimen if maternal cART was given with
consistent viral suppression and no concerns for lack of maternal adherence
Zidovudine regimen started as close to birth as possible and within 6 to 12 hours
of delivery
Infants born to women who did not receive cART should receive 6 weeks of zido-
vudine combined with 3 doses of nevirapine in the first week of life (first dose
given from birth to 8 hours, second dose given 48 hours after the first dose,
and third dose given 96 hours after the second dose)
Table 6
Recommendation for prophylaxis of newborns exposed to HIV
Consult pediatric infectious diseases specialist about options for 3-drug ARV
prophylaxis regimens for extremely high-risk infants (eg, mother with high viral
load, known resistant virus) (discussions before delivery are recommended)
Infants born to mother of unknown status
Expedited HIV testing of mother or infant (rapid HIV test) should be performed,
followed by:
Immediate initiation of infant ARV prophylaxis if initial test positive
If confirmatory testing of the infant’s mother is negative, infant ARV prophylaxis
can be discontinued
In the United States, HIV ARV drugs other than zidovudine and nevirapine cannot be
recommended in premature infants, because dosing and safety data are lacking
Free consultation is available at the National Perinatal HIV Hotline (1-888-488-8765)
HEPATITIS B
Disease Description
HBV is a partially double-stranded circular DNA enveloped hepadnavirus. It is
composed of an outer lipoprotein envelope containing the hepatitis B surface antigen
(HBsAg) and an inner nucleocapsid consisting of hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg).
The genome contains 4 partially overlapping open reading frames, coding for viral sur-
face proteins, which correspond to HBsAg, the core antigen, and the soluble antigen e
(HBeAg), the viral polymerase that possesses a DNA polymerase and reverse tran-
scriptase, a regulatory X protein essential for virus replication and activating the
expression of numerous cellular and viral genes.86–88
The virus itself is not directly cytotoxic to hepatocytes or other cells; instead, the
cellular injury seen in the disease is related to the host immune response, most
commonly with HBV directed cytotoxic T cells. After infection occurs, HBV DNA
and HBsAg increase exponentially in the serum. The peak of HBV DNA and HBsAg
is reached before the acute disease, and both decrease after the onset of clinical
symptoms. HBsAg disappears, unless a chronic carrier state is present.88 It is now
known that HBV genome may also become integrated into hepatocytes, and produce
an occult HBV infection, in which the carrier is HBsAg negative, but the integrated virus
is able to reactivate and replicate under certain conditions.89
Transmission/Pathogenesis
Most MTCT of HBV occurs at the time of delivery, with less than 2% to 4% of all trans-
mission occurring in utero. Hypothesized prenatal modes of transmission include
transplacental or inhalation or chronic ingestion of infected amniotic fluid. HBV infec-
tion caused by fetal contamination with maternal blood during procedures such as
amniocentesis has been posited but not proved to occur.90
Perinatal transmission of HBV usually occurs from exposure to blood during labor
and delivery; HBV has also been isolated in vaginal secretions. The highest rate of viral
transmission occurs from mothers who are HBsAg and HBeAg positive; of women
who are acutely infected during pregnancy, the risk of neonatal infection is greatest
when maternal infection occurs during the third trimester. Historically, of infants
who do not receive appropriate prophylaxis, only 5% to 20% who are born to
HBsAg-positive but HBeAg-negative mothers become infected, as opposed to up
to 90% of infants born to women who are both HBsAg and HBeAg positive.1,86,90,91
The biological basis for this finding is that HBeAg is produced during active viral
replication and is associated with high HBV DNA levels. Maternal HBeAg can pass
through the placenta because of its small size. This factor induces T-cell intolerance
TORCH Infections 17
in the fetus to both HBeAg and HBeAg as a result of cross-reactivity between HBeAg
and HBcAg. After birth, cytotoxic T-helper cell recognition and response may be
shown to HBeAg and HBcAg, but not to HBsAg; this enables both acute infection
with HBV and persistent HBV infection after delivery.86,88,92
Epidemiology
HBV is estimated to affect approximately 360 million people globally. The preva-
lence of HBV infections varies throughout different regions of the world, but up
to half of the world’s population live in regions where the prevalence of chronic
HBV infection (CHB) is greater than 8%. Transmission during pregnancy or delivery
is responsible for more than one-third of CHBs worldwide. Table 1, adapted for the
Red Book, shows the prevalence of HBV as indicated by HBsAg positivity and the
major source of new infections.88,93 In these regions, most new infections occurred
in early childhood or perinatally. In regions of intermediate HBV endemicity, where
the prevalence of HBV infection is 2% to 7%, multiple modes of transmission (ie,
perinatal, household horizontal transmission, sexual transmission, injection drug
use) contribute to the burden of infection. In countries of low endemicity, such
as the United States, where CHB prevalence is less than 2% and immunization
readily available, the peak age of new infections is among the unimmunized in older
age groups.93
Clinical Correlation
The risk of progressing to CHB is primarily determined by the age at the time of acute
infection. Approximately 90% of infants infected perinatally or in the first year of life
develop CHB. Between 25% and 50% of children infected between 1 and 5 years of
age develop CHB, whereas 5% to 10% of acutely infected older children and adults
develop CHB. Infants infected with HBV rarely show signs of disease at birth or in the
neonatal period, and the natural history of perinatally acquired chronic HBV may be
classified into the immune tolerant, immune active/clearance, inactive carrier state,
and reactivation stages. Children who are infected perinatally develop mildly
increased alanine aminotransferase concentrations, with detectable HBeAg and
high HBV DNA concentrations (20,000 IU/mL), with minimal or mild liver histologic
abnormalities, defining the immune-tolerant phase, starting at approximately 2 to
6 months of age. Spontaneous loss of HBeAg in this stage is low, which typically
lasts for many years, and children are contagious as a result of their high viral
burden.87–89
A few infants develop clinical hepatitis within a few months of age and present with
jaundice, poor feeding, and vomiting.
Infection of an infant with HBV caused by vertical transmission from an HBV-infected
mother is most commonly diagnosed by the presence of HBsAg by 1 to 2 months of age.
Discussion
Diagnosis and treatment
Prenatal In the past, women were screened for HBsAg if they fell into a high-risk group
based on such data as immunization status, history of exposure to blood products,
intravenous drug use, and so forth. However, less than 60% of HBsAg carriers were
captured using these screening criteria, and thus, it is recommended that all pregnant
women be screened for HBsAg at the first prenatal visit. Additional screening at the
time of delivery is recommended if any of the maternal risk factors outlined earlier
are present.94,95
18 Neu et al
Best Practice
Universal screening for HBV in pregnant women (HBsAg) at first prenatal visit, regardless of
risk stratification
Repeat screening for women at high risk for HBV at delivery
Prophylaxis of infant
- Maternal HBsAg positive
HBIG 0.5 mL IM and single-antigen hepatitis B vaccine IM within 12 hours of delivery
Complete vaccine series by 6 months of life
Follow-up testing at 9 to 18 months
- Maternal HBsAg negative
Single-antigen hepatitis B vaccine IM soon after birth, before hospital discharge
Complete vaccine series by 6 to 18 months of life months of life99
HEPATITIS C
Disease Description
HCV is an enveloped, single-stranded RNA with 6 main genotypes. A hypervariable re-
gion within the structural protein E2 also leads to subtypes, or quasispecies, that show
varying clinical presentation and degrees of resistance to antiviral therapy. The virus
infects hepatocytes or other cells, but like HBV virus, may not be directly cytotoxic
to the cells. Signs and symptoms of this disease often parallel the host immune
response with HCV-directed CD81 and then CD41 T cells.100–102
Transmission/Pathogenesis
MTCT of HCV in the absence of maternal viremia is rare; however, studies of perinatal
transmission of HCV have yielded conflicting results, and the timing and mechanisms
of transmission from mother to infant are unclear. Infants may have positive cord or
serum HCV PCR tests soon after delivery, suggesting in utero transmission. However,
after 18 months of age, some of these children have negative PCR testing, recom-
mending against using early PCR as a diagnostic tool.101 Hypothesized mechanisms
TORCH Infections 19
Epidemiology
HCV is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease worldwide, with global
prevalence estimated at 130 to 150 million and maternal seroprevalence at approxi-
mately 1% to 2% in developed countries. MTCT has been estimated from 4% to
8% historically, and a recent meta-analysis showed that in children born to HIV-
negative women, the pooled risk of vertical HCV infection was 5.8% as opposed to
a 10.8% risk of HCV vertical transmission in children born to HIV-positive women. Inci-
dence in infants and children remains low, with a prevalence of less than 0.1 per
100,000 in the United States.12,108,110
Clinical Correlation
Infants infected perinatally are generally asymptomatic; although up to 80% of infants
infected perinatally develop chronic HCV, most are still asymptomatic at age 5 years.
Discussion
There are no known prenatal or perinatal interventions to prevent congenital HCV.
Although observational studies have suggested that invasive instrumentation or pro-
longed rupture of membranes may confer a higher risk of transmission, no experi-
mental data exist to confirm these finding. Elective cesarean section is not
recommended in the case of maternal HCV infection, nor is breastfeeding prohibited,
although mothers with cracked or bleeding nipples are advised to abstain.
SUMMARY
Best practices
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