Zika virus infection from a newborn point of view. TORCH or TORZiCH?

Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) belongs to the group of viruses called arboviruses. Congenital Zika syndrome is a new disease with infectious teratogenic aetiology. The clinical symptoms are divided into morphological and functional. Most severe complication is the foetal brain disruption sequence that includes severe microcephaly, anomalies of the eyes and congenital contractions of joints. The aim of this paper was to review available facts about Zika virus infection from a newborn point of view in a form of the summary of all important information. Zika virus infection is a problem of past, present and future. Epidemics may occur because of global climate changes, also in countries where natural conditions for life of mosquitos are not present. This clearly indicates the need to continue developing of vaccines and specific antiviral drugs. Until this happens, we must adhere individual preventive measures. Zika virus has proven to us how it can affect the health of adults and neonates but also thinking of healthy people. Newborns with microcephaly on the front pages of the media caused in 2015 panic and fear around the world – for this reason education of people is necessary. Due to serious congenital disorders associated with ZIKV infection and global impact of virus we suggest modifying old acronym TORCH for new TORZiCH to accent the position of Zika virus.

Is the ZIKV Congenital Syndrome and Microcephaly Due to Syndemism with Latent Virus Coinfection?

“…Even though the Aedes aegypti vector is competent at promoting efficient ZIKV infection of humans in urban areas, viral transmission through human biofluids brings the classification of ZIKV closer to the human pathogens group (1) (human reservoir and “vector”) than to the arboviruses group (e.g., dengue virus (DENV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV), or yellow fever virus (YFV)) [ 59 , 60 ]. The increasing frequency of microcephaly in ZIKV-infected mothers during the early stage of pregnancy reinforces the hypothesis that ZIKV promotes particular tropism (2) in the fetal–placental unit (the neuronal sphere) and that it belongs to the group of congenital pathogens in humans, called the TORCH group ( Toxoplasma gondii , other pathogens, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus) [ 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 ]. The viral persistence (3) in the female urogenital tract (vaginal secretions, endocervical mucosa, ovary, endometrium, and uterus) means ZIKV is far from having disclosed all of its pathogenesis potential (4) in the reproductive life of women [ 65 , 66 , 67 ], especially in the context of following particular pregnancy-induced reactivation from genital and/or other ZIKV reservoirs [ 68 , 69 , 70 ].…”

SARS-CoV-2: Is it the newest spark in the TORCH?

“…The TORCH acronym, first coined by Nahmias [5], was initially defined as a group of infections (toxoplasmosis, "other" infections, rubella, CMV, and herpes simplex virus [HSV]) that were commonly encountered in the newborn and acquired from a maternal source. Numerous variants of this acronym have evolved over the past four decades [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13], and the definition of TORCH infection is today more broadly recognized as a heterologous collection of infections that can cause neonatal disease following acquisition by either trans-placental or perinatal routes. We submit that SARS-CoV-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcv.2020.104372 Received 8 April 2020; Accepted 11 April 2020 should be included in the grouping of TORCH infections and that efforts should be made both to more fully define the mechanisms of transmission and the scope of disease in the fetus and neonate.…”

Implications of TORCH Diseases in Retinal Development—Special Focus on Congenital Toxoplasmosis

“…Therefore, ZiKV is considered an important member of the TORCH pathogen group (Musso and Gubler, 2016). Some authors suggest modifying the old acronym TORCH for new TORZiCH to highlight the position of Zika virus due to the serious congenital disorders associated with ZikV infection (Tahotná et al, 2018).…”