Supervisors info:
Ν.Παπαντωνίου, Ομότιμος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Δ. Κασσάνος, Ομότιμος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Χ.Χρέλιας, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Introduction: In the general part of this thesis, an introduction - reference to infectious agents affecting both the mother and the fetus - known as T.O.R.C.H.
This particular group of infections is responsible for intrauterine or congenital infections that may affect the fetus during pregnancy or during the perinatal period. The usual way of transmitting the infection is mainly through the placenta and less often by the ascending route, such as the mother's genitals.
The responsible microorganisms for embryo infection are mainly viruses, germs and pathogenic parasites known by the acronym TORCH (Toxoplasma gondii, Other = others such as syphilis, streptococcus, listeriosis, listeria B 19 et al., Rubella, CMV, Herpes simplex virus (HSV I-II). Then, a description is given of the physiological changes in organs of pregnancy.
Material and method: The bibliographic material was derived from scientific foreign languages and Greek books. Research articles were also searched using keywords from Pub Med, Up-to-date, best-practise.bmj, sciencedirect and the Cochrane Library website. An important contributor to the preparation of this thesis was the attendance of the "Infectious Diseases from A to Z" workshop held on 17 \ 03 \ 20018.
Results: In the special part of the thesis a detailed description, diagnosis, effect of pregnancy on the disease, pregnancy on the disease and treatment and prophylaxis for each infection separately is made.
In order to avoid complications during pregnancy and childbirth and to give birth to a healthy fetus, prenatal screening is considered necessary, as some infectious diseases do not cause obvious symptoms to the mother.
Some infections may infect the fetus through the placenta or be transmitted during childbirth or when the follicle is ruptured. These infections to the fetus can be very serious (even life threatening), and can become chronic and irreversible to the fetus's health as well as cause developmental problems.
Some diseases increase the risk of miscarriage, premature rupture of membranes, premature birth, uterine infection, and stillbirth.
The treatment of an infectious disease during pregnancy depends on how advanced the disease is and how advanced the pregnancy of the woman is. Many diseases, such as toxoplasmosis, herpes simplex virus, syphilis, streptococcus or listeria, are treated with antibiotics.
Conclusions: The most common infectious diseases in pregnancy are herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, beta hemolytic streptococcus, toxoplasma. These are serious diseases that require treatment as they increase the risk of congenital fetal malformations, the risk of miscarriage, premature rupture of the membranes, premature birth, and stillbirth.
Keywords:
Infections in pregnancy, congenital infections in pregnancy, perinatal infections, T.O.R.C.H. infections in pregnancy, management of T.O.R.C.H. infections, epidemiology of T.O.R.C.H. infections, treatment of T.O.R.C.H. infections, toxoplasma in pregnancy, cytomegalovirus in pregnancy(CMV), rubella in pregnancy, herpes simlex virus in pregnancy( HSV I – II ), parvovirus B 19 in pregnancy, zika virus in pregnancy (ZIKV), listeria in pregnancy, syphilis in pregnancy, treponema pallidum – spirochete, varicella – varicella zoster virus (VZV), erythema infectionsum/fifth disease, group B streptococcus, GBS
