Antenatal and early postnatal etiological verification of relevant congenital viral infectious diseases

Abstract

Nonspecificity of clinical, laboratory and instrumental manifestations of congenital infectious diseases, including viral infections, and the diversity of methods for etiological verification of pathogens define both the need to choose the optimal approaches to the diagnosis of this pathology, and the feasibility of testing for a broad range of etiologic agents in case of suspected congenital viral infection. The analysis of current guidelines, international consensus documents issued by specialists, and published results of some studies has shown that identification of the genetic material of the pathogen with the use of amniocentesis/ cordocentesis (for cytomegalovirus and parvovirus infections) or in the birth canal (for herpes simplex infection) is the key method for antenatal etiological verification of the widespread viral infections. During the postnatal period, molecular genetic testing is combined with serological diagnosis involving determining specific immunoglobulins M and G, as well as their avidity index.