Abstract:

Objective To investigate the infection status and epidemiological characteristics of TORCH (Toxoplasma gondii, TOX; rubella virus, RV; cytomegalovirus, CMV; herpes simplex virus, HSV) infection in the infants in southern Anhui area in recent years for references for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of related infections in children. Methods The results of serum IgM and IgG antibody tests for TORCH infection in infants aged 0 to 3 years old diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College between April 2016 and March 2023 were reviewed, and the positive rates of TORCH infection in different ages and years were also comparatively analyzed. Results A total of 8 199 infants (4 631 males and 3 568 females) aged 0 to 3 years underwent serological tests for screening TORCH infection. The positive rate of IgM in the infants was 0.11%, 0.20%, 0.89%, 0 and 0, respectively, for TOX, RV, CMV, HSV Ⅰ and HSV Ⅱ. The difference was significant (χ²=100.000, P<0.05). The corresponding positive rate of IgG was 10.81%, 78.36%, 98.32%, 82.38% and 13.45%, respectively (χ²=22 828.211, P<0.05). Comparing different age groups, the positive rate of CMV-IgM was higher in infant group (11.90%) than that in newborn group (0.20%) and young children group (1.40%), with statistical difference (χ²=672.920, 20.569, both P<0.017). The positive rates of TOX-IgG, RV-IgG, CMV-IgG, HSV Ⅰ-IgG, and HSV Ⅱ-IgG were higher in newborn group (11.01%, 79.88%, 98.76%, 85.35%, 13.72%) than those in infant group (6.71%, 49.35%, 96.54%, 50.87%, 9.74%) (χ²=8.369, 237.184, 16.033, 373.121, 5.902, respectively, all P<0.017). Comparison of the differences among years showed that the positive rate of CMV-IgM was the highest in 2016 (χ²=15.816, P<0.05). The positive rates of TOX-IgG, RV-IgG, CMV-IgG, HSV Ⅰ-IgG and HSV Ⅱ-IgG were significantly different among years (χ²=216.002, 90.545, 37.047, 59.527, 57.623, respectively, all P<0.05). Conclusion Previous TORCH infection in infants aged 0 to 3 years in southern Anhui Province was mainly caused by CMV, HSV Ⅰ, and RV, and current infection is dominated by CMV. Screening for TORCH infection in infants is very important to protect children's health. In addition, reasonable pregnancy planning, prenatal health care and screening in pregnant women are essential to prevent TORCH infection.

Key words: TORCH infections, Infant, Antibody detection, Southern Anhui area