THE GENERAL IMPORTANCE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF TORCH INFECTION PREVENTION

Abstract

TORCH infections, comprising Toxoplasma gondii, Other pathogens (including syphilis, varicella-zoster virus, parvovirus B19), Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Herpes simplex virus (HSV), represent significant causes of congenital morbidity and mortality worldwide. Prevention strategies range from vaccination (e.g., rubella) and antenatal screening (e.g., syphilis) to behavioral counseling (e.g., toxoplasmosis, CMV hygiene) and antiviral prophylaxis (HSV). This narrative review evaluates the general importance and effectiveness of preventive measures against TORCH infections. A systematic search of PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and WHO/CDC websites for literature published between January 2010 and May 2025 was conducted using keywords related to TORCH syndrome and prevention strategies. Data on global prevalence, intervention outcomes, and programmatic successes were synthesized. Findings indicate that rubella vaccination programs have achieved substantial reductions in congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), with global rubella incidence falling by over 80% following widespread vaccine introduction [2]. Behavioral and educational interventions for toxoplasmosis and CMV demonstrate moderate effectiveness in reducing primary maternal infections [3]. Syphilis screening and timely penicillin therapy significantly lower congenital syphilis rates. HSV antiviral prophylaxis near term reduces neonatal transmission risk. However, gaps persist: no licensed vaccines for CMV or toxoplasmosis, variable screening uptake, and resource limitations in low-income settings hamper universal prevention. Integrated approaches combining vaccination, screening, education, and health system strengthening are crucial. Continued research into effective vaccines (e.g., CMV) and scalable interventions remains a priority.