TORCH-5 IgG Profile Test

TORCH IgG panel is ideally indicated before pregnancy or during antenatal visit during the first trimester. If the test is positive before pregnancy then chances of any serious infection to foetus are very remote. If this test is positive during pregnancy then an IgG avidity test or IgM test or PCR test would be required to confirm if infection is current or timing acquistion

There are many different reasons why someone might get a TORCH-5 IgG test. Some of the most common reasons include:

• To screen for or diagnose infection with any of the TORCH viruses (toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, or herpes simplex virus) in pregnant women
• To screen for or diagnose infection with any of the TORCH viruses in people who have symptoms suggestive of viral infection
• To monitor the effectiveness of antiviral therapy in people who have been diagnosed with a TORCH virus infection

Torch IgG test measures IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma, CMV, Rubella, HSV 1 & 2.

The TORCH-5 IgG test measures the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in the blood against five different infections: Toxoplasma gondii, Other (which can include syphilis, varicella-zoster, and parvovirus B19), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes simplex virus.

During Torch IgG test The blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a  little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

The TORCH-5 IgG test is usually performed as a blood test and takes about 30 minutes to complete. A healthcare professional will take a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm using a needle. The blood sample will be sent to a laboratory for testing. The test is relatively quick and painless, and most people do not experience any complications.

TORCH IgG positive - If a person is IgG positive before pregnancy then she has antibodies against these agents and is unlikely to transmit these infections to foetus.
It is important to time when the infection was acquired by the mother, this can be done through IgG avidity testing.
If it is suggested that infection occurred during the pregnancy then doctor may advise an invasive test like amniocentesis of chorionic villus sampling.
TORCH IgG negative - This means that patient is not immune to these infections and should consider Rubella immunization & seek medical advise in case symptoms related to above infections are experienced at any point of time during pregnancy

This test is recommended for people who have symptoms suggestive of a TORCH infection or for people who have been exposed to any of these viruses and want to know if they have developed an infection.

There isn't a definite answer as to who should do the TORCH-5 IgG test. Ultimately, it is up to the individual and their doctor to decide if the test is right for them. However, the following should get this test done:
 

• Pregnant women: TORCH infections can cause serious complications during pregnancy, including miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight. The test can help identify if a woman is at risk for these complications.
• People with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss: This test can help determine if an infection is the cause of recurrent pregnancy loss.
• Women of childbearing age who are trying to get pregnant: An infection can cause infertility. The TORCH-5 IgG test can help identify any potential infections that could be causing difficulties in conceiving.

The TORCH-5 IgG test can't tell you if the infection is acute or chronic, it can only tell you if you have been exposed to the infection. It can't tell you if the infection is still active or not. False-negative results can occur in some cases, especially if the test is done early in the course of the infection.

A positive result for one or more of the infections included in the TORCH-5 panel may indicate that the person has been previously exposed or currently has an active infection. A negative result means that no antibodies to the tested infections have been detected in the blood. It's important to note that a negative result does not necessarily mean that the person is not infected, as some infections can take several weeks to produce enough antibodies to be detected by the test.

Other tests that may be done along with a TORCH-5 IgG test include:

• A comprehensive metabolic panel is a blood test that measures the sugar and fat levels, as well as the kidney and liver function. This can help to rule out other causes of symptoms similar to those seen in TORCH infections.
• A complete blood count (CBC) measures the levels of different types of cells in the blood. This can help to rule out other causes of symptoms similar to those seen in TORCH infections.

A viral load test measures the amount of virus in the blood. This can help to determine if a person has an active infection or if they are a carrier of the virus.

TORCH Panel

TORCH Screen

TORCH Antobodies

TORCH IgG Test

Toxoplasmosis

Rubella

Cytomegalovirus

Herpes simplex

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus