# Screening of Rubella Virus, Cytomegalovirus, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, HIV, Syphilis, and Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Pregnant Women

## TL;DR

This study screens pregnant women for TORCH infections to understand regional prevalence and improve public health strategies for preventing congenital infections.

## Contribution

The study provides updated regional seropositivity data for TORCH infections in pregnant women and recommends national screening programs.

## Key findings

- High anti-CMV IgG positivity (98.69%) and anti-rubella IgG positivity (95.5%) were observed in pregnant women.
- Significant age-related differences were found for rubella IgG, Toxoplasma gondii IgG, and HBsAg positivity.
- Low positivity rates were reported for anti-HCV (0.12%) and syphilis (0.2%).

## Abstract

TORCH pathogens are often asymptomatic in healthy adults but can cause foetal death when transmitted during pregnancy; therefore, accurate regional data are essential for screening. This study aimed to determine first-trimester TORCH seropositivity and to inform the development of hospital-based and national screening algorithms. This study analysed test results from 7481 pregnant women aged 15–49 years who participated between January 2020 and December 2024. TORCH serological results obtained using the MAGLUMI X3/X6 system (Snibe, Shenzhen, China) were analysed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Anti-HCV positivity was 0.12% (9/7166), anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG positivity was 16.5% (1027/6204), anti-rubella IgG positivity was 95.5% (5809/6080), and anti-CMV IgG positivity was 98.69% (6130/6211). Syphilis seropositivity among pregnant women was 0.2% (13/4991). Significant differences by age groups (15–24, 25–34, and >35 years) were observed for rubella IgG (p < 0.001), T. gondii IgG (p < 0.001), and HBsAg positivity (p = 0.009). This study investigated TORCH seropositivity among pregnant women in our hospital region and underscores the need for targeted public health initiatives to reduce the risk of congenital infections. It recommends systematic first-trimester assessment of TORCH exposure, standardized data recordings, the establishment of national screening programmes, and careful consideration of testing costs.