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. 2022 Feb 5;14(2):e21946.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.21946. eCollection 2022 Feb.

Seroprevalence and Determinants of ToRCH Pathogens in Pregnant Women in the Sub-Himalayan Region

Sangeeta Deka  1   2 , Deepjyoti Kalita  1 , Manisha Paul  1 , Gaurav Badoni  1 , Yogendra P Mathuria  1
Affiliations

Seroprevalence and Determinants of ToRCH Pathogens in Pregnant Women in the Sub-Himalayan Region

Sangeeta Deka et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Introduction Toxoplasma gondii (TG), rubella virus (RV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 (HSV 1 and 2) cause mild maternal morbidity but have serious fetal consequences. The prevalence of these infections varies widely by country and population subgroup, and the paucity of data from the hilly state of Uttarakhand prompted us to undertake this study on their seroprevalence and association with potential risk factors. Methods Serum samples received from pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, between January 2016 to December 2019 were tested for TG-, RV-, CMV, and HSV-specific IgM and IgG by capture enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). The data were then analyzed to determine the seroprevalence of the major ToRCH infections (toxoplasmosis, other (syphilis, varicella-zoster, parvovirus B19), rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes), and Fisher's exact test was applied to check association with potential risk factors. Results Out of 165 pregnant women who were screened for the four major ToRCH pathogens, overall seroprevalence was 41.2% for TG (IgM=13.3%; IgG=38.2%), 80.0% for RV (IgM=3.0%; IgG=80.0%), 61.8% for CMV (IgM=1.8%; IgG=61.8%), and 42.4% for HSV (IgM=4.3%; IgG=40.6). TG was significantly associated with increasing maternal age (p-value=0.007). The seropositivity of RV was maximum in the drier and windy months of January-March (p-value=0.004), while that of TG in the warmer months of April-June (p-value=0.03). HSV prevalence was comparatively more common in Muslim women (p-value=0.05). Women presenting with bad obstetric history (BOH) and multiparous women were at higher risk for TG-RV-HSV and TG-RV-CMV, respectively. Conclusion Considering the high prevalence and risk of ToRCH infections in this region, we suggest disease-specific screening based on maternal history. Recognition of the burden of ToRCH infections in pregnant women is vital in clinicians' decisions and implementing control measures.

Keywords: antenatal screening; cytomegalovirus; herpes simplex virus; india; pregnant women; rubella virus; torch; toxoplasma gondii.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Map of the study area
Figure 2
Figure 2. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (TG), rubella virus (RV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections in different age groups of pregnant women
Figure 3
Figure 3. Trend of seropositivity of ToRCH infections in the different months of a year
TG, Toxoplasma gondii; RV, rubella virus; CMV, cytomegalovirus; HSV, herpes simplex virus
Figure 4
Figure 4. Trend of seropositivity of ToRCH infections in the four years of the study period
TG, Toxoplasma gondii; RV, rubella virus; CMV, cytomegalovirus; HSV, herpes simplex virus
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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