Infections in pregnancy, every year one newborn out of 150 hit by cytomegalovirus, about 300 are born with toxoplasmosis

It is estimated that in our country every year about 300 children are born with Toxoplasmosis and one out of 150 infant is hit by cytomegalovirus. Hence the decision to promote a national network to intensify the screening and prevention campaignsannounced during a conference in Rome, entitled « the complexity of maternal-fetal infections and the crucial role of diagnostics in the management of Torch infections ».

Underestimated the infections that are transmitted from the mother to the fetus

The infections that are transmitted from the mother to the mother are still underestimated fetus during the pregnancyThe childbirth or thebreastfeeding. They are the so -called Torch or Torches, an acronym that stands for Toxoplasmosis, beyond (syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, chickenpox, Parvovirus B19etc.), rubellacytomegalovirus (CMV), Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Enterovirus And other pathogens (for example: Zika Virus, Streptococcus Group B).
Still, pathologies like Toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus And syphilis can cause serious damage to the unborn childlike deafness, delays in development and blindness.

A network for prevention is underway

The increase in these infections and risks for infants who contract them lead to strengthening screening campaigns. Hence the birth of a national network, including institutions, scientific companies, civil society and businesses, announced during the conference organized in Rome on the initiative of Senator Guido Quintino Liris, with the support of the Italian clinical microbiologists association (AMCli), Cittadinanzattiva, Diasorin, Federchimica AssobioTec. The common goal is guarantee universal access to preventive therapies and therapies.
Senator Liris, member of the Senate Budget Commission says: « The prenatal area constitutes one of the most complex but also relevant elements of prevention: An intervention during pregnancy can make a difference In terms of quality of life, both for the woman and for the unborn child. Screening and diagnosis allow you to preserve health in one of the most exciting but also delicate phases of the life of a woman and her child. Furthermore, in a context in which the births are less and less, it is fundamental Avoid complications».

The study

A study conducted by the Italian clinical microbiologists association, whose publication is scheduled in the coming months in the scientific journal Eurosurveillancedocuments a decrease in serum, i.e. the presence of antibodies in the blood of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and toxoplasma gondiiconfirming trends already observed in other European countries.
On the sample representative of Italian women in fertile age These values ​​emerge: Toxoplasma Gondii: 10%; Parvovirus B19: 64%; treponema pallidum (syphilis): 1%; Rosalia virus: 86%; CMV: 59%.
In foreign women In fertile age who live in Italy these values ​​were found: Toxoplasma Gondii: 22%; Parvovirus B19: 57%; Treponema Pallidum: 1%; Rosalia virus: 86%; CMV: 93%.
Thanks to vaccinations in pediatric age (read here), in July 2023 Italy was declared by the World Health Organization « Free » by the endemic circulation of the rubellathat is, the infectious disease is no longer endemic in our country. However, screening in foreign women from countries where there are no vaccination recommendations, in order to prevent imported cases, remains crucial. AttentionTherefore, It focuses on cytomegalovirus and toxoplasmosis.

« Silent » emergency: the case of the cytomegalovirus

Every year there are about 13 thousand primary cytomegalovirus infections in pregnant women. One in 150 newborn was born with this infection. Even if only 10–15% manifest symptoms at birth, up to one child in four can develop serious consequences in the first years of lifesuch as deafness or delays in neuropsychomotor development.
The CMV is the most common virus in provoking intrauterine infections and is responsible for about 10% of all cases of cerebral paralysis and 8-21% of cases of neurosensory disorder ofhearing At birth, a percentage that rises to 25% within the first four years of life.
30-40% of the pregnant women are susceptible to the CMV and can acquire a primary infection during pregnancy which remains the main cause of transmission of the virus from mother to fetus.
From December 2023 there Breast serological screening for CMV pregnant It is recommended by Guidelines of physiological pregnancy of the Higher Institute of Health.
As for the antiviral therapy To prevent the maternal-fetal transmission of the virus, it has already been free of charge since 2020 thanks to a determination of the Italian drug agency (AIFA), but there are differences between regions in the screening offer.
« Citygalovirus represents the main cause of congenital infection in high -income countries – explains Tiziana Lazzarotto, ordinary professor of microbiology and clinical microbiology at the Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, as well as UOC Director of Microbiology at the IRCCS Aou in Bologna and scientific director of the Italian Clinical Microbiologists Association -. Thanks to the new guidelines of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità and the transposition in the essential levels of assistance (Lea), we can now Identify early risk at risk and intervene promptly with drugs without side effects for mother and child. Monitor the serological state from conception to the middle of pregnancy is essential to protect the unborn child: the neurological risk, in fact, is directly related to the time of infection, especially in the first quarter « .

Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy: still high risk

And the risk of Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy: As a primary infection it can cause spontaneous abortion, hydrocephaly, brain lesions (in particular calcifications) and cororetinitis, with permanent results.
The risks come mainly from the consumption of raw or not very cooked meats, sausages, contact with cat stool, land or contaminated waters.
Screening is provided by the Lea to the first prenatal check and then every 4-6 weeks, if it was negative.
Explains Marcello Lanari, full professor of general and specialist pediatrics at the Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, as well as UOC Director of Pediatrics at the IRCCS Aou in Bologna: «Since beyond the 90% of future mothers with toxoplasmosis are asymptomaticAnd crucial to know Already From the beginning of pregnancy their serological state. It is essential, then, that women know their serological state for all Torch infections since the beginning of pregnancy or, better still, when planning it, in order to adopt hygienic-food measures and targeted therapies to protect the unborn child immediately; In fact, the greatest risk of fetal involvement is in the first and second quarter ».
The best « weapons » against toxoplasmosis? It summarizes Professor Lanari: « Hand hygiene, correct diet and targeted drugs according to prescription in case of fetal infection ».