Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella Virus, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes Simplex Virus Among Children and Women in Bhutan's National Referral Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study.

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Public health challenges Pub Date : 2026-09-19 eCollection Date: 2026-09-01 DOI:10.1002/puh2.70367

Karma Norbu, Sonam Wangzin Rabjay, Karma Galey, Thinley Dorji, Ugyen Chophel, Jamyang Wangmo, Binita Rai, Yeshey Dorjey, Tshokey Tshokey

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Abstract

Background: Congenital infections caused by Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus (TORCH) infections remain an important but under-documented contributor to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in low- and middle-income countries, including Bhutan.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of TORCH infections among children and women in Bhutan's national referral hospital.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional review of TORCH antibody test records was conducted at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital for tests carried out between January 2019 and December 2022. The study included all children <18 years and adult women. Serological testing used rapid immunochromatographic assays (OnSite TORCH Panel) to detect immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies, and data were analyzed descriptively with subgroup comparisons by age.

Results: A total of 624 participants were included, comprising 359 children (<18 years) and 265 adult females. Among children, 202 (56.9%) were male, and 153 (43.1%) were female. Seropositivity for TORCH infections varied across age groups, with the highest IgG and IgM positivity observed in neonates and infants and a subsequent rise in the reproductive age group. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) showed the highest overall seropositivity (83.8%), followed by cytomegalovirus (CMV) (82.7%), rubella (65.7%), whereas T. gondii had the lowest (14.7%). CMV had the highest IgM (4.8%) and combined IgG/IgM positivity (4.3%).

Conclusions: TORCH seropositivity varied across age groups, with HSV and CMV being the most frequently detected infections and IgG antibodies predominating. These findings provide the first baseline TORCH seroprevalence data in Bhutan, which can serve as a reference for future maternal and child health programs.

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刚地弓形虫、风疹病毒、巨细胞病毒和单纯疱疹病毒在不丹国家转诊医院儿童和妇女中的血清阳性率：一项横断面研究

背景：由弓形虫、风疹病毒、巨细胞病毒和单纯疱疹病毒（TORCH）感染引起的先天性感染仍然是低收入和中等收入国家（包括不丹）孕产妇和新生儿不良结局的重要因素，但文献记载不足。目的：本研究旨在确定在不丹国家转诊医院的儿童和妇女中TORCH感染的血清患病率。方法：对2019年1月至2022年12月在吉格梅多吉旺楚克国家转诊医院进行的TORCH抗体检测记录进行回顾性横断面分析。结果：共纳入624名参与者，其中359名儿童（弓形虫最低（14.7%））。CMV中IgM阳性率最高（4.8%），IgG/IgM联合阳性率最高（4.3%）。结论：TORCH血清阳性在不同年龄组中存在差异，以HSV和CMV感染最常见，IgG抗体占主导地位。这些发现提供了不丹第一个基线TORCH血清患病率数据，可作为未来妇幼保健规划的参考。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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Public health challenges

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