Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE, cilt.115, sa.117, ss.1-9, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
population immunity and exposure to TORCH pathogens. The aim of this study was to evaluate nine-year
temporal trends in IgG and IgM seroprevalence of TORCH-related pathogens using a large, routine laboratorybased
dataset, and to assess age- and sex-related differences in seropositivity.
Methods: This retrospective study analyzed TORCH-related serological test requests performed at a tertiary-care
hospital in southern Türkiye between 2015 and 2023. A total of 188,251 serological tests for Toxoplasma gondii,
Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)-1/2 IgG and IgM were reviewed. Chemiluminescent
microparticle immunoassay was performed to detect Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella virus, and CMV IgG
and IgM, while Triturus fully automated ELISA system was performed to detect HSV-1/2 IgM antibodies.
Temporal trends, age- and sex-related differences, and independent predictors of seropositivity were assessed
using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression.
Results: Marked pathogen-specific temporal changes were observed over the nine years. Toxoplasma gondii and
rubella IgG seropositivity declined, whereas Cytomegalovirus IgG seropositivity increased steadily, while IgM
seropositivity remained consistently low for all TORCH pathogens. Age and sex were significant, pathogendependent
predictors of seropositivity. The large sample size and extended observation period allowed reliable
assessment of year-to-year variations.
Conclusion: This study, based on one of the largest and longest uninterrupted laboratory-based TORCH datasets
reported to date, demonstrates significant pathogen-specific shifts in seroprevalence over time. Routine laboratory
data provide a valuable resource for monitoring population-level immunity and supporting public health
planning and diagnostic practice.