BOH PANEL -2

The BOH basic panel-2 is used to evaluate:

1.      Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs): ANAs are antibodies that target healthy and typical proteins in the nucleus of a cell. The healthy foetus is attacked by these ANAs causing unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. BOH panel-2 aids in the diagnosis of several autoimmune disorders that may affect the developing foetus. These disorders include autoimmune hepatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma, and Sjögren's syndrome.

2.    Anti-phospholipid antibodies (APAs): APAs assist in the process of blood clotting in pregnant women. Women who have antiphospholipid antibodies in their bodies experience repeated miscarriages because the placenta cannot receive enough blood, which affects the foetus’s ability to receive the required supply of oxygen, nutrients, and blood.

BOH panel-2 includes the detection of antibodies such as:

·       Beta 2 glycoprotein I IgG & IgM: Beta-2 glycoprotein I IgG & IgM antibodies are the autoantibodies that are associated with blood clotting disorder. Improper blood clotting could be caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking one's own body cells, considering them as foreign entities.

·       Cardiolipin antibody IgG & IgM: Cardiolipin antibodies (also known as anti-cardiolipin antibodies) are autoantibodies that mistakenly target the body’s cells and play a role in regulating blood clotting. These antibodies are associated with bleeding and clotting factors, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and recurring miscarriages.

·       Lupus anticoagulant (dRVVT): Lupus Anticoagulant Dilute Russell's Viper Venom Time (dRVVT) is used to detect lupus anticoagulant (LA), which targets the phospholipids (lipid proteins) present in the cell membrane and can lead to frequent and unnatural blood clots.

3.    TORCH infections: Toxoplasmosis, syphilis, hepatitis B, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes are all included in the group of infections known as TORCH. These infections are all harmful to the developing foetus. Following are the five different infections that are screened under BOH panel-2:

·       Toxoplasmosis: It is caused by a parasite. Eating undercooked meat and coming into contact with cat faeces can be the cause of this infection.

·       Others including ‘Syphilis’: “O” in the panel includes a group of “Other” infections such as Syphilis, HIV, Fifth disease, Chicken pox, Zika virus, etc. The mode of transmission is either by sexual contact or sometimes, even parasites.

·       Rubella: It is caused by a virus. The mode of transmission is either through sneezing or coughing. Generally, people are vaccinated for rubella during their childhood itself. However, if you did not get vaccinated earlier, then consider taking a shot before getting pregnant to avoid such infections.

·       Cytomegalovirus: It is one of the types of Herpes virus. It spreads through saliva and other body fluids. One can fight this infection if his/her immunity is strong. However, newborn and developing babies do not possess such strong immunity to fight this infection.

·       Herpes simplex virus (HSV): It is a highly contagious, sexually transmitted disease. HSV1 and HSV2 are the two types of HSV infection. It is usually transmitted sexually or via direct contact with the infected person.

4.    Thyroid hormone test: Hypothyroidism can increase the risk of miscarriages in the second trimester. The BOH panel-2 measures the levels of TSH.

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH): TSH is secreted in the blood by the pituitary gland and it regulates the balance of thyroid hormones such as T3 and T4. Hypothyroidism (thyroid hormone deficiency) is usually associated with high TSH levels, while hyperthyroidism (thyroid hormone excess) is associated with low TSH levels