TORCH panel

TORCH panel helps to detect the antibodies of the following viruses:

• Toxoplasma gondii: The parasite most commonly spread by feces of cats can cause eye and nervous system infections and lead to cysts in the brain and muscles. In pregnancy, the parasite can enter the fetus through the placenta, which can lead to birth defects or miscarriage.
• Rubella: (roseola) is a rash that occurs in childhood and is now a relatively minor problem in adulthood due to mandatory vaccinations. With the bloodstream, the virus can pass through the placenta into the fetus causing developmental anomalies, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. Infection can lead to heart failure, vision- or hearing loss.
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV): The virus is carried asymptomatically by many people, mostly, it is causing complaints only when the immune system is weakened. Unlike other viruses, protection does not develop after the infection. The fetus can become infected in the womb, during birth, or even with breast milk, but if it is detected in time, it can be treated successfully with medication.

• Herpes simplex: Two types – HSV-1, which causes lesions on the lips, and HSV-2, that causes symptoms in the genitals – are the most dangerous, when the infection is acute and shows severe symptoms. It can cause miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy and serious birth defects during childbirth. Once the mother has been through it, antibodies are produced in her body that also protect the fetus.
• Varicella: the virus is responsible for chickenpox, which gives us lifelong protection after the infection. In the case of uninfected mothers, protection against the virus is essential, as in the first trimester of pregnancy, it could cause developmental anomalies of the fetus, in the last weeks of the pregnancy the infection can even be fatal for the fetus.
• Parvovirus B19 (butterfly smallpox) protection

How to prepare for the test?