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Updated: Sep 25, 2026
Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors
Published on: September 13, 2018
Screening for infectious diseases
Stefan Gerber1, Patrick Hohlfeld
1Department Gynecology and Obstetrics, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. Stefan.Gerber@chuv.hospvd.ch
Insights
Congenital infections pose a significant risk for fetal brain injury and lifelong morbidity. Early screening and diagnosis of maternal infections, including TORCH complex agents, are crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Neonatal Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Fetal brain injury is a major cause of long-term disability.
- Infections during pregnancy can lead to fetal brain damage.
- Screening for congenital infections is vital, especially with risk factors or abnormal ultrasound findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of screening for congenital infections in pregnancy.
- To outline diagnostic approaches for identifying infectious etiologies of fetal brain injury.
Main Methods:
- Review of common congenital infections and their impact on fetal brain development.
- Discussion of antenatal ultrasound findings indicative of brain abnormalities.
- Emphasis on maternal serologic testing for infectious agents.
Main Results:
- Congenital infections, particularly TORCH complex agents (toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes, varicella), are key contributors to fetal brain injury.
- The timing of maternal infection in pregnancy significantly influences the risk and severity of fetal damage.
- Antenatal ultrasound can detect structural brain abnormalities such as hydrocephalus, periventricular leukomalacia, calcifications, and hemorrhage.
Conclusions:
- Maternal serologic tests are essential for diagnosing infectious causes of fetal brain injury.
- Screening should include TORCH complex pathogens, parvovirus B19, HIV, and coxsackieviruses.
- Prompt identification and management of congenital infections can mitigate long-term morbidity in newborns.
Introduction:
Fetal brain injury is an essential cause of lifelong morbidity. Infection appears as a cause of brain damage. Apart from chorioamnionitis, screening for infectious diseases must be considered in pregnancies with a risk of congenital infection or cases with abnormal cerebral ultrasound findings.
Discussion:
Congenital infections include most of the major components of the TORCH complex: toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes, and varicella. Seronegative mothers can develop primary infection, which carries a risk of vertical transmission. The timing of the infection is a critical point, because fetal damage often depends on the gestational age at which acute maternal infection took place and occurs more likely in the first half of pregnancy. Antenatal ultrasound can detect brain abnormalities, like hydrocephalus, periventricular leukomalacia, calcifications or hemorrhage. Maternal serologic tests must be performed to look for an infectious etiology; the most frequent agents are the components of the TORCH complex. But additional serology must include parvovirus B19, HIV, and coxsackieviruses.
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