Prevalence of toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes (TORCH) infections among women attending the antenatal care clinic, maternity hospital in Abha, Southwestern Saudi Arabia

• DOI: 10.15537/smj.2020.7.25121
• Publication Date: 2020-06-29T09:15:52Z
• Authors: Ahmed M. Al-Hakami; Esther Paul; Faten Al-Abed; Ahmad A. Alzoani; Ayed A. Shati; Mohammad I. Assiri; Asim A. Qasim; Fatima Riaz; Riyad A. Moosa; Harish C. Chandra...
• Keywords: Toxoplasmosis; Cytomegalovirus; Outpatient clinic

<h3>Objectives:</h3> To investigate the presence of toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes (TORCH) infections in women attending at antenatal care clinic Abha, Kingdom Saudi Arabia (KSA). <h3>Methods:</h3> A total 190 blood samples were collected from Abha maternity hospital Aseer region, KSA, February 2018 to May 2019 screened with TORCH panel (toxoplasmagondii [IgG/IgM], cytomegalovirus [CMV] rubella simplex type 1 2 [IgG/IgM]). <h3>Results:</h3> The mean age was 31.42±6.514 years gestational 32.48±6.168 weeks. Serum IgG positive for <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> (<i>T. gondii</i>) (27.4%), (HSV-1) (94.7%), (HSV-2) (0.5%), CMV (100%), (88.9%). IgM only (9.5%). Though, there an association between abortions previous pregnancies (26.5%), intrauterine death (5.8%), premature labor (3.2%), microcephaly (1.6%), other congenital diseases (1.6%) low birth weight (0.5%) current positivity infections, results not statistically significant. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> Seropositivity antibodies correlate TORCH-associated pregnancy complications KSA; however, pregnant cases warrant further systematic investigation understand implications on outcomes during pregnancy.