TORCH infections in pregnancy: Clinical laboratory and the need for a national standard

Abstract

Certain microorganisms grouped under the acronym TORCH - toxoplasma, other
agents, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex - very dissimilar in their
taxonomy, morphology and pathogenesis, have the common characteristic of
causing infections in pregnant women who can transmit them vertically, being
potentially serious for the fetus and newborn. Therefore, it is essential to timely
define the diagnosis through laboratory tests. However, in Peru, there is a lack of a
national standard to determine the incidence and prevalence of these pathologies,
to measure their magnitude and to take appropriate public health measures. The
aim of this article is to disseminate the appropriate interpretation of commonly used
tests and justify the design of a standard.