What is TORCH Test

TORCH test is used to check for several infectious diseases that can cause illness in pregnant women and may cause birth defects in babies. TORCH stands for the different infections the test screens for, which are:

• Toxoplasmosis.
• Other infections, such as hepatitis B, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), human parvovirus, enterovirus, Epstein–Barr virus, syphilis, parvovirus B19, or chicken pox (varicella-zoster virus).
• Rubella.
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV).
• Herpes simplex virus (HSV).

You may have the TORCH test done if you are a pregnant woman and your health care provider thinks that you might have one of these infections.

What is being tested?

The TORCH test checks for antibodies to these infections. Antibodies are a type of cell that is part of the body’s disease-fighting (immune) system. After you get an infection, your body makes antibodies that stay in your body after you recover and protect you from getting the same infection again. The TORCH test checks for two types of antibodies:

• Immunoglobulin M (IgM).
• Immunoglobulin G (IgG).

What kind of sample is taken?

A blood sample is required for this test. It is usually collected by inserting a needle into a blood vessel.

How are the results reported?

Results will be reported as either positive or negative for each type of antibody and will be specific to each infectious disease that you are being tested for.

A false-positive result can occur. A false positive is incorrect because it means that the test is showing that a condition is present when it is not. All positive TORCH tests should be followed up with more specific tests to confirm.

What do the results mean?

Possible results include:

• Negative for IgM and IgG—Infection is unlikely. You may have more testing to confirm the results.
• Negative for IgM and positive for IgG—You may have had a previous infection that most likely did not pass to your baby. You may have a second TORCH test in a few weeks to compare levels.
• Positive for IgM—You may have a current infection, or you may have had a recent infection with one or more of the TORCH infections. You may need more tests to determine the exact type of infection.

Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.

Questions to ask your health care provider

Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the test:

• When will my results be ready?
• How will I get my results?
• What are my treatment options?
• What other tests do I need?
• What are my next steps?

Summary

• TORCH is a blood test used to check for several infectious diseases that can cause illness in pregnant women and may cause birth defects in babies.
• The TORCH test checks your blood for antibodies to the TORCH infections.
• The results of the test will be reported as either positive or negative for each type of antibody and will be specific to each infectious disease that you are being tested for.
• Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.