Seroprevalences of antibodies against ToRCH infectious pathogens in women of childbearing age residing in Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Poland, Turkey and China. (30th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Warnecke, J. M.; Pollmann, M.; Borchardt-Lohölter, V.; Moreira-Soto, A.; Kaya, S.; Sener, A. G.; Gómez-Guzmán, E.; Figueroa-Hernández, L.; Li, W.; Li, F.; Buska, K.; Zakaszewska, K.; Ziolkowska, K.; Janz, J.; Ott, A.; Scheper, T.; Meyer, W.
• Is Part Of: Epidemiology and infection. Volume 148(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10-30
• Subjects: Antibodies, -- congenital infections, -- diagnostics, -- immune status, -- immunoblot, -- maternal infection, -- pregnancy, -- serology, -- seroprevalence, -- ToRCH; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; 614.4
• DOI: 10.1017/S0950268820002629
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-2688

Abstract

Abstract: Determination of antibodies against ToRCH antigens at the beginning of pregnancy allows assessment of both the maternal immune status and the risks to an adverse pregnancy outcome. Age-standardised seroprevalences were determined in sera from 1009 women of childbearing age residing in Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Poland, Turkey or China using a multiparametric immunoblot containing antigen substrates for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2), Bordetella pertussis, Chlamydia trachomatis, parvovirus B19, Treponema pallidum and varicella zoster virus (VZV). Seroprevalences for antibodies against HSV-1 were >90% in samples from Brazil and Turkey, whereas the other four countries showed lower mean age-adjusted seroprevalences (range: 62.5–87.9%). Samples from Brazilian women showed elevated seroprevalences of antibodies against HSV-2 (40.1%), C. trachomatis (46.8%) and B. pertussis (56.6%) compared to the other five countries. Seroprevalences of anti- T. gondii antibodies (0.5%) and anti-parvovirus B19 antibodies (7.5%) were low in samples from Chinese women, compared to the other five countries. Samples from German women revealed a low age-standardised seroprevalence of anti-CMV antibodies (28.8%) compared to the other five countries. These global differences in immune status of women in childbearing age advocate country-specific prophylaxis strategies to avoid infection with ToRCH pathogens.