ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the importance of Torch serologic screening in pregnant women and to investigate the relationship between Torch infection and pregnant women with embryo standstills as well as women with habitual abortion.Methods IIF and capture EIA were used for detection of Torch-IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. Toxoplasma /rubella virus/CMV/HSV serologic screens were carried out in 303/278/280/236 pregnant women, 27/30/31/25 pregnant women with embryo standstills and 192/214/228/168 women with habitual abortions, respectively.Results The positive rates of toxoplasma(rubella virus, CMV, HSV)-IgG/IgM antibodies were found 2.3%/0.33% (93.2%/1.4%, 88.6%/1.1%, 93.2%/1.3%) in pregnant women, 0/0(96.7%/0, 87.1%/0, 88.0%/0,) in pregnant women with embryo standstills and 1.04%/0(98.6%/0, 91.2%/0, 94.6%/0) in women with habitual abortion, respectively. Only one serum sample was found to be true positive with rubella virus-IgM antibody in 31 Torch-IgM antibodies positive serum samples tested by other hospitals. Conclusion The necessity to screen toxoplasma antibodies in pregnant women should be evaluated due to the low incidence. It is important to determine immune status to rubella virus prior pregnancy for prenatal screening.Further studies are needed before the scheme to diagnose CMV infection during pregnancy can be decided. Serum samples tested with Torch-IgM antibodies should be re-tested with kits from other manufactures or by reference labs to avoid false positive. There are no relationships being found between Torch infection and pregnant women with embryo standstills as well as women with habitual abortion.