title: Seroprevalence of TORCH infections in antenatal and HIV positive patient populations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The TORCH (Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and the Herpes Simplex Virus) cause range of diseases in pregnant women and HIV patients and lead to adverse fetal outcomes when not treated on time, in HIV positive can cause life threating infections. There is inadequate data available of these infections in India.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of the TORCH infections in antenatal and HIV/AIDS patients at a tertiary care centre. The laboratory data pertaining to the period Jan 2012-May 2014 was analyzed. The study population involved 162 antenatal cases and 729 HIV/AIDS patients under review at an ART centre. Laboratory testing was done for the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies against the TORCH infections by ELISA method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the antenatal cases, 30 (18.52%) samples were found to be seropositive for Toxoplasma IgM, CMV IgM antibodies were found in 47 (29.01%) samples, HSV IgM antibodies were found in 12 (7.40%) samples, Rubella IgM antibodies were found in 13 (8.02%) samples, indicating recent infection. Among the HIV/AIDS cases, indicative of recent or current infection, 160 (21.94%) samples were positive for Toxoplasma IgM, CMV IgM was found in 99 (13.58%), HSV IgM antibodies were found in 98 (13.44%) and Rubella IgM in 47 (6.44%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed a high seroprevalence of the infections caused by the TORCH complex amongst pregnant women and HIV/AIDS patients despite improved hygiene conditions and health awareness. Maximum seroprevalence for CMV was observed followed by Rubella and HSV infection.
authors: Senior Advisor (Microbiology), Military Hospital Meerut, UP, India.
authors: Lavan
authors: L
authors: Singh
authors: Classified Specialist (Medicine), Command Hospital (Southern Command), Pune 411040, India.
authors: Siddhartha
authors: S
authors: Mishra
authors: Resident, Dept of Microbiology, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune 411040, India.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Prasanna
authors: Associate Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune 411040, India.
authors: M P
authors: MP
authors: Cariappa
keywords: HIV patients; Pregnant women; TORCH seroprevalence