Expert: Sound Advice - 2/7/2007

Question
HELLO
MY AGE IS 35. I WAS PREGNANT AND HAD MISCARIAGE WITHIN 2 MONTHS. I HAVE A BABY GIRL OF 7 YRS OLD. AS DOCTOR PRESCRIBED I HAVE DONE "TORCH TEST" THE REPORT IS AS:
TOXOPLASMA;
igG : 0.33
igM : 0.14
RUBELLA:
igG : 1.8
igM : 0.19
CYTOMEGALOVIRUS:
igG : 2.7
igM : 0.42
HERPES:
igG : 0.51
igM : 0.15
I HAVE ASKED BEFORE ALSO THE SAME QUESTION BUT I DID NOT GET REPLY TO THE QUESTION AND GOT THE INFORMATION ONLY OF THE TEST.AS IAM NOT SATISFIED BY MY DOCTOR SO FOUND THIS SITE HELPFUL TO GET GOOD SUGGESTION.
MY QUESTION IS :
1: IS THERE ANY INFECTION IN MY REPORT ABOVE I SENT ?
2: WHAT IS THE REASON WE SHOULD WAIT FOR 3 MONTHS AFTER MISCARIAGE? WHAT DOES IT EFFECT IF WE CONCIEVE WITHIN 3 MONTHS?
I WANT DETAILED INFORMATION SO HOPE I GET KIND RESPONSE ATLEAST NOW SINCE IAM TENSED.
THANKYOU

Answer
First of all, I must preface that I'm not a doctor or an infectious disease expert.  Also, the delay is related to finding some research for you.  

The TORCH test measures responses in the mother to estimate transmission to the baby. Those with a recent infection will have the IgM antibody and those with a past infection will have the IgG antibody, which is long-life.  The presence of IgM antibody in the mother suggests a new infection and further testing should be done to see if the antibody is present for other reasons. IgM antibody produced in the mother cannot cross the placenta so the presence of this strongly suggests an active infection in the infant.  Presence of IgG in the newborn without IgM may reflect passive transfer and does not indicate active infection. so presence  In the mother, IgM suggests a new infection and IgG is a sign of past infection. Based on your results, I can't determine the information but just because the numbers are positive, doesn't mean you have an active infection, this only measures antibody count, not infection.  You could just have antibodies much like you have after a viral infection (like a cold or the flu) and that is not bad for you at all (in fact it's good usually!).

Now, the TORCH test itself is becoming less common because there are more specific tests out there.  I would suggest getting another test, not necessarily the TORCH test.  Based upon my research, most people suggest finding another doctor if they prescribe the TORCH test after a miscarriage.

For your questions:
1) I can't tell since I'm not a doctor, but the test can't tell infection, only the presence of antibodies. A positive result in any area does not mean you have an active infection (although it could be a result of a past infection).

2)If you have an active infection, waiting 3 months gives it time to end and have antibodies produced.  If you conceive within 3 months, there may be a higher risk of the child being infected (but this is not 100% at all).

I'll also try to get more information for you, but that's the best I could come up with.  Again, I'm not a doctor so my advice is find another doctor who doesn't rely on the TORCH test so much but uses newer and more specific tests.