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2019 Month : September Volume : 8 Issue : 39 Page : 2958-2962

Seroprevalence of TORCH Infections in Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Kavitha Paul Konikkara1, Irene Jose Manjiyil2, Vimalraj Angattukuzhiyil Narayanan3, Prithi Nair Kannambra4

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Irene Jose Manjivil,
Assistant Professor,
Department of Microbiology,
Government Medical College,
Thrissur, Kerala, India.
E-mail: drireneantony@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

TORCH infections caused by Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Herpes simplex Virus (HSV-1 and 2) are often responsible for many unfavourable foetal outcomes like intrauterine growth retardation, congenital anomalies, mental retardation, habitual abortions and still births. As these infections are mild and inapparent, they are rarely diagnosed clinically and are not tested in the pregnant women in the routine antenatal visits. Serological tests remain the method of diagnosis. There is no available baseline data regarding the exact seroprevalence of TORCH infections in our geographical area.

METHODS

An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the prevalence of TORCH infections among pregnant women who attended the Antenatal clinic at Government Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala, during a period of one year. Blood samples of 200 pregnant women were analysed for the presence of specific IgG antibodies against each agent of TORCH complex by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

In the present study, specific IgG antibodies for Toxoplasma gondii were detected in 32.5%, for Rubella in 76%, for CMV in 89.5%, for HSV-1 in 43% and for HSV-2 in 8% of the pregnant women. It was noted that the pregnant women with bad obstetric history (BOH) showed a higher seroprevalence rate than the others. Statistical analysis was done by Chi square test.

CONCLUSIONS

This study proves that not only pregnant women with BOH but also normal pregnant women are affected by TORCH infections. We recommend that all antenatal cases with BOH even if they do not have any symptoms should be routinely screened for TORCH agents during the antenatal visits for the proper management of cases. The data reported in our study will be a contribution to the obstetricians and paediatricians of our geographical area to follow appropriate management protocols.

KEY WORDS

TORCH, Seroprevalence, IgG Antibody, ELISA

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