Infections are a major threat to human reproductive health, and infections in pregnancy can cause prematurity or stillbirth, or can be vertically transmitted to the fetus leading to congenital infection and severe disease. The acronym ‘TORCH’ (Toxoplasma gondii, other, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus) refers to pathogens directly associated with the development of congenital disease and includes diverse bacteria, viruses and parasites. The placenta restricts vertical transmission during pregnancy and has evolved robust mechanisms of microbial defence. However, microorganisms that cause congenital disease have likely evolved diverse mechanisms to bypass these defences. In this Review, we discuss how TORCH pathogens access the intra-amniotic space and overcome the placental defences that protect against microbial vertical transmission.

感染是对人类生殖健康的主要威胁，孕期感染可导致早产或死胎，也可垂直传播给胎儿导致先天性感染和重症。首字母缩略词“火炬”（弓形虫，其他，风疹病毒，巨细胞病毒，单纯疱疹病毒）是指与先天性疾病发展直接相关的病原体，包括多种细菌、病毒和寄生虫。胎盘限制了怀孕期间的垂直传播，并形成了强大的微生物防御机制。然而，导致先天性疾病的微生物可能已经进化出多种机制来绕过这些防御。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了 TORCH 病原体如何进入羊膜腔内并克服防止微生物垂直传播的胎盘防御。