Serological And Cytokine Profiling of Umbilical Cord Blood for Maternal Torch Infections: A Cross-Sectional Study on Neonatal Risk in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Authors

  • Sabine Aimée Touangnou-Chamda Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • Jacky Njiki Bikoï Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • Palmer Masumbe Netongo Molecular Diagnostics Research Group, Biotechnology Centre - University of Yaounde I (MDRG-BTC-UYI), Cameroon, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon and Biology Program, School of Science, Navajo Technical University, Crownpoint, New Mexico, USA
  • Carole Stephanie Sake Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • Véronique Mboua Batoum Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, Yaounde University Teaching Hospital, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon
  • Alexandra Emmanuelle Membangbi Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • Cassandre Kwedjeu Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • Chris André Mbongue Mikangue Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • Elsa Makue Nguiffo Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
  • Maurice Boda Montgomery College Department of Biology 51 Mannakee Street Rockville, MD 20850, USA
  • Donatien Serge Mbaga Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Bertoua, Bertoua, Cameroon
  • Sara Honorine Riwom Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14738/bjhr.1303.1277

Keywords:

umbilical cord blood, TORCH infections, cytokine profiling, neonatal immunity, vertical transmission, Cameroon, sub-Saharan Africa, congenital infections

Abstract

Background: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) represents a valuable biological matrix for assessing neonatal exposure to maternal infections and immune status at birth. In resource-limited settings such as Cameroon, its diagnostic potential remains underutilized, particularly for the detection of vertically transmitted infections within the TORCH complex ˗ Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella virus (Rubivirus rubellae), Cytomegalovirus (CMV)/ Human Herpesvirus 5 (HHV-5), and Herpes Simplex Virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1/2). Objectives: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of TORCH infections in maternal venous blood and UCB, and to compare cytokine profiles in order to characterize neonatal immune activation at birth. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to December 2024 across two referral hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon. A total of 108 mother-newborn pairs were enrolled consecutively. Paired maternal venous blood and UCB samples were tested using EVANCARE IgM/IgG TORCH rapid diagnostic tests (RDT), and ELISA-based ProcartaPlex™ multiplex cytokine profiling (12 analytes). Results: TORCH seroprevalence in UCB reflected maternal infection status, with high concordance for Toxoplasma gondii (90.0%; maternal 77.5% vs. UCB 72.5%) and CMV (70.0%; maternal 55.0% vs. UCB 50.0%). Cytokine profiling revealed that 10 of 12 analytes differed between compartments; IL-6 was significantly higher in maternal plasma (33.94 vs. 25.01 pg/mL; p < 0.0001) while IL-2 was significantly elevated in UCB (17.43 vs. 16.54 pg/mL; p = 0.04), with IL-4 and IL-5 showing identical values across both compartments. Conclusion: Maternal TORCH infections exert a measurable burden on neonatal infectious and immunological status at birth. UCB represents a non-invasive and ethically advantageous specimen for neonatal assessment. These findings support the integration of TORCH screening and UCB cytokine analysis into routine antenatal care protocols in low-resource settings to reduce neonatal morbidity.

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Published

2026-05-05

How to Cite

Touangnou-Chamda, S. A., Bikoï, J. N., Netongo, P. M., Sake, C. S., Batoum, V. M., Membangbi, A. E., … Riwom, S. H. (2026). Serological And Cytokine Profiling of Umbilical Cord Blood for Maternal Torch Infections: A Cross-Sectional Study on Neonatal Risk in Yaoundé, Cameroon. British Journal of Healthcare and Medical Research, 13(03), 01–10. https://doi.org/10.14738/bjhr.1303.1277

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Vol. 13 No. 03 (2026): British Journal of Healthcare and Medical Research

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Articles

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