Abstract

Objective: Toxoplasma gondii, rubella, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) are among the TORCH (Toxoplasma, Others, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex virus) group microorganisms. Knowing regional epidemiological data on TORCH group infections is important, especially when deciding whether to perform routine screening at the regional and national levels. Our study aimed to evaluate the frequency of T. gondii, rubella, and CMV IgM and/or IgG antibodies in female patients admitted to a state hospital in İstanbul. 

Method: T. gondii, rubella, and CMV IgG and IgM antibody results tested in patient sera between January 2017 and December 2020 were evaluated retrospectively.

Results: The results of 33 636 samples were evaluated. The highest rate of seropositivity was detected in the 20-29 age group (n=4626, 26.72%). The highest of antibody positivity was reported in 2019 (33.29%). The IgG seropositivity rate was 24.1% for T. gondii, 93.5% for rubella, and 98.3% for CMV.

Conclusion: Except for the differences in T. gondii seroprevalence, the results of our study seem to be similar to those of other studies both in our country and globally. The seronegativity rate (74.9%) for T. gondii was high in our research, which indicates that pregnant women should be carefully monitored for T. gondii infection in our region. We conclude that more comprehensive studies are needed to establish national screening programs for TORCH group agents.

Keywords: CMV, rubella, TORCH, toxoplasma, seropositivity