Diagnosis of perinatal TORCH infections

Collectively, TORCH infections create more neonatal morbidity than early-onset group B streptococcal sepsis. Fortunately, the incidence of maternal infection by CMV or toxoplasmosis is low (2-10 per 1,000 births). There have been tremendous advances in direct antigen testing and in the sensitivity and specificity of IgG and IgM testing. Consistently, research laboratories show more accurate results than in the past. Unfortunately, commercial laboratories are using older, single-kit testing. The relatively poor degree of reliability can lead to unnecessary obstetric intervention or elective termination. Any positive pathogen-specific IgM on maternal serum should have additional confirmatory testing in a reputable research laboratory before any intervention. Direct antigen testing or multiple testing would seem to be appropriate for confirmation. This may include amniocentesis of fetal blood sampling. The research on the newer tests is based of the evaluation of blood from seriously immunocompromised subjects. Extrapolations of test accuracy to similar tests on healthy, pregnant women and their fetuses are likely to be in error. The application of these accurate tests to the obstetric population is a critical research need.