title: The use of TORCH titers.
abstract: Of 603 patients undergoing serologic tests for Toxoplasma, syphilis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex (TORCH tests) during a 4-year period, 381 (63%) were infants younger than 6 months and 110 (18%) were either the mothers of those infants or pregnant women. The remaining 112 (19%) were older infants and children, male adults, or nonpregnant female adults. Of 381 infants less than 6 months of age who were tested, 323 (85%) had only a single TORCH test. Of 35 (9%) infants who had follow-up titers, 16 (46%) had a specific titer requested whereas in 19 (54%) the entire TORCH battery was repeated. Follow-up titers were infrequently (25%) requested when initial titers were elevated. Infection with a TORCH agent was not confirmed serologically in any of the 603 patients. The pattern of TORCH test use has a poor diagnostic return.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000151:congenital; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000151:congenital; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012409:Rubella / Q000151:congenital; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000592:standards*; D013590:Syphilis, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis; D014125:Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies