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

Álvarez-Carrasco R. · Revista Peruana de Ginecologia y Obstetricia (2024) · DOI: 10.31403/rpgo.v70i2625

Resumen

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.