TORCH-13 Profile Test

What is the TORCH 13 Profile Test?

The TORCH 13 Profile Test is a blood test that checks for antibodies and avidity markers related to infections that can be important during pregnancy. These include Toxoplasma, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 and Herpes Simplex Virus type 2.

The test is done using a serum sample, which is the clear liquid part of your blood. It helps your doctor understand whether you may have had a past infection, a possible recent infection, or immunity against certain infections such as Rubella. This information is especially useful during pregnancy, pre-conception planning, infertility evaluation and high risk obstetric care.

What Does a TORCH 13 Profile Test Measure?

The TORCH 13 Profile Test provides detailed information about infection exposure and immune response through 13 parameters:

• IgG antibodies: Help identify past exposure or immunity to specific infections.
• IgM antibodies: May suggest a possible recent or current infection, depending on your symptoms and clinical history.
• Avidity markers: Help your doctor understand whether an infection is likely to be recent or older. Low avidity may suggest recent infection, while high avidity usually points towards past infection.
• Pregnancy infection risk: Helps assess infections that may affect pregnancy or may be linked with congenital infections in the developing baby.
• Infection specific status: Checks markers related to Toxoplasma, Rubella, CMV, HSV-1 and HSV-2.

TORCH 13 Profile Test: Who Needs It and Why It’s Done

What Symptoms May Call for a TORCH 13 Profile Test?

Doctors may recommend this test if you have symptoms or pregnancy related concerns that suggest possible infection:

• Fever, fatigue, body ache or flu-like illness during pregnancy
• Rash, swollen lymph nodes or recent exposure to a person with infection
• History of miscarriage, stillbirth or previous pregnancy complications
• Ultrasound findings that may suggest possible foetal infection
• Oral blisters, genital sores or symptoms suggestive of herpes infection
• Suspected exposure to undercooked meat, contaminated food, cat litter or soil, which may increase toxoplasmosis risk

Who Should Get a TORCH 13 Profile Test?

• Pregnant women who need infection screening as part of high risk pregnancy care
• Women planning pregnancy, especially if infection immunity needs to be assessed
• Women with symptoms suggestive of viral or parasitic infection
• Women with previous pregnancy loss or unexplained obstetric complications
• Patients undergoing infertility evaluation or reproductive planning
• Newborns or infants, if the doctor suspects congenital infection and recommends related testing

Why is a TORCH 13 Profile Test Done?

The TORCH 13 Profile Test is done to help detect possible exposure to infections that may affect pregnancy, foetal development or newborn health. It supports your doctor in planning timely follow-up, treatment or monitoring when needed.

Importance of TORCH 13 Profile Test

The TORCH 13 Profile Test is important because many TORCH infections may cause mild symptoms in you but can have serious implications during pregnancy. By checking IgG, IgM and avidity markers together, the test gives your doctor a clearer picture of whether an infection may be old, recent or still uncertain. This helps guide pregnancy monitoring, counselling, treatment decisions and further confirmatory testing when required.

TORCH 13 Profile Test Booking & Reports - Metropolis Healthcare

How to Book the TORCH 13 Profile Test and Get Your Reports?

1. Simple Online Booking
   Booking can be done through the Metropolis Healthcare App or website. Select the TORCH 13 Profile Test, choose a convenient time slot, and provide your address for a blood test at home. You can also visit the nearest Metropolis Lab if you prefer to give the sample directly at the lab.
2. Safe Home Sample Collection
   Our trained phlebotomists ensure timely collection of your sample while strictly following all safety and hygiene protocols.
3. Sample Tracking Updates
   Stay informed at every step. From collection to testing, you can track your sample directly through the Metropolis Healthcare website.
4. Accurate Laboratory Testing
   Your sample is processed at our NABL and CAP accredited laboratories, where expert technicians ensure accurate results.
5. Quick and Easy Reports
   Receive your test reports promptly via email, WhatsApp, or by downloading them directly from the Metropolis Healthcare website or app.

Is Home Sample Collection for TORCH 13 Profile Test Available Near You?

Yes, Metropolis Healthcare offers home sample collection for TORCH 13 Profile Test. This service saves you time, reduces the need for travel, and ensures professional sample handling while maintaining strict quality standards. A trained phlebotomist collects your blood sample from your preferred location at your chosen time.

In how much time will I get TORCH 13 Profile Test report?

Reports are usually available the next day once the sample reaches the lab.

Note: Reporting time and cost may vary based on your location.

Where can I see or get TORCH 13 Profile Test results?

Test results from Metropolis Healthcare can be accessed through multiple convenient channels. You can log in to the Metropolis website using your credentials or use the Metropolis Healthcare App to view and download your reports. Additionally, test reports are sent via email or WhatsApp and you also have the option to collect a physical copy directly from the lab.

Interpreting TORCH 13 Profile Test Results

Understanding Abnormal TORCH 13 Profile Test Results by Parameter

How Should You Prepare for a TORCH 13 Profile Test?

The TORCH 13 Profile Test needs minimal preparation. Follow these simple instructions before your blood sample collection:

• No fasting required: You can eat and drink normally before the test.
• Normal hydration: Drink water as you usually do so that your blood sample can be collected comfortably.
• Share pregnancy details: Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or undergoing fertility treatment.
• Provide clinical history: Tell your doctor about fever, rash, swollen glands, blisters, recent infection exposure, previous miscarriage or any abnormal pregnancy scan findings.
• Discuss vaccination history: Inform your doctor if you recently received Rubella vaccination or any other relevant vaccine.
• Medication review: Tell your doctor about all medicines, supplements and immune-suppressing treatments you take.
• Follow medical advice: If your doctor has requested repeat testing after an equivocal result, complete it within the advised time.

How Is a TORCH 13 Profile Test Done? (Step-by-Step Procedure)

The TORCH 13 Profile Test is performed using a simple blood collection process:

• Preparation: A tourniquet is tied around your arm to make veins more visible.
• Cleaning: The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic.
• Sample Collection: A sterile needle is used to draw about 5 ml of blood into a gel vacutainer.
• Completion: The needle is removed, and a bandage is applied.
• Processing: The sample is sent to the laboratory, where serum is separated and tested for TORCH antibodies and avidity markers using the relevant individual test methods.

Conditions That May Affect TORCH 13 Profile Test Accuracy

Several patient related factors can influence how your TORCH 13 Profile Test results are interpreted:

• Early testing after exposure: Antibodies may not be detectable if your sample is collected too soon after infection. Your doctor may advise repeat testing.
• Recent vaccination: Rubella antibody results may be influenced by vaccination history, so share this information with your doctor.
• Past infection or reactivation: Some infections, such as CMV and HSV, can reactivate. Results must be interpreted with your symptoms and history.
• Weakened immunity: Immune-suppressing medicines or certain health conditions may affect your antibody response.
• Equivocal results: Borderline results may need repeat testing within 2 to 3 weeks or as advised by your doctor.
• Missing clinical details: Date of symptom onset, exposure history, pregnancy stage and immunisation history are important for accurate interpretation.

Diseases That a TORCH 13 Profile Test Can Help Detect

The TORCH 13 Profile Test helps your doctor assess infections that may be important during pregnancy and reproductive care:

• Toxoplasmosis: A parasitic infection that may affect pregnancy if acquired recently.
• Rubella: Also called German measles, this viral infection can be important during pregnancy due to the risk of congenital rubella.
• Cytomegalovirus infection: CMV can cause congenital infection if transmitted during pregnancy.
• Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 infection: HSV-1 may cause oral or genital herpes and can be relevant during pregnancy counselling.
• Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 infection: HSV-2 is commonly linked with genital herpes and may need special attention during pregnancy.
• Congenital infection risk: The test supports evaluation when doctors suspect infections that may affect the developing baby.

References

1. Fitzpatrick D, Holmes NE, Hui L. A systematic review of maternal TORCH serology as a screen for suspected fetal infection. Prenat Diagn. 2022;42(1):87-96. PMID:34893980.
2. Megli CJ, Coyne CB. Infections at the maternal-fetal interface: an overview of pathogenesis and defence. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2022;20(2):67-82. PMID:34433930.
3. Rawlinson WD, Boppana SB, Fowler KB, Kimberlin DW, Lazzarotto T, Alain S, et al. Congenital cytomegalovirus infection in pregnancy and the neonate: consensus recommendations for prevention, diagnosis, and therapy. Lancet Infect Dis. 2017;17(6):e177-e188. PMID:28291720.
4. Teimouri A, Mohtasebi S, Kazemirad E, Keshavarz H. Role of Toxoplasma gondii IgG avidity testing in discriminating between acute and chronic toxoplasmosis in pregnancy. J Clin Microbiol. 2020;58(9):e00505-20. PMID:32321784.
5. Le Cleach L, Trinquart L, Do G, Maruani A, Lebrun-Vignes B, Ravaud P, et al. Oral antiviral therapy for prevention of genital herpes outbreaks in immunocompetent and nonpregnant patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(8):CD009036. PMID:25122522.
6. Hayward I, Copperman TS, Schmid DS, Bialek SR, Cannon MJ. Viral infections in pregnancy: cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, and herpes simplex virus. Clin Perinatol. 2018;45(2):307-323. PMID:29747888.