Possible role of TORCH agents in congenital malformations in Gorgan, northern Islamic Republic of Iran

East Mediterr Health J. 2009 Mar-Apr;15(2):330-6.

Abstract

This descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out to explore the frequency of contamination with TORCH agents in neonates with congenital malformations in a referral centre in Gorgan city, Islamic Republic of Iran. Blood samples were taken from 64 neonates and their mothers over a 20-month period in 2003-04. Serologic tests showed that 4/64 infants born with congenital malformations (6%) had positive 1 gM antibody titres for Texoplasma gondil (2 cases), rubella virus (1 case) and cytomegalovirus (1 case). 1 gM was positive in 9/63 mothers (14%), also for T. gondil (3 cases), rubella virus (3 cases) and cytomegalovirus (3 cases). No cases of herpes simplex virus type II or Treponema pallidum were found.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Causality
  • Congenital Abnormalities / epidemiology
  • Congenital Abnormalities / etiology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cytomegalovirus / immunology
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / blood
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / complications*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Iran / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Population Surveillance
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious* / blood
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious* / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious* / immunology
  • Rubella / blood
  • Rubella / complications*
  • Rubella / epidemiology
  • Rubella / immunology
  • Rubella virus / immunology
  • Toxoplasma / immunology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / blood
  • Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / complications*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / epidemiology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin M