Which infection is commonly included in the TORCH panel?

Which infection is commonly included in the TORCH panel?

• A. Toxoplasmosis
• B. Tuberculosis
• C. Syphilis
• D. Malaria

Answer: (A)

The TORCH panel investigates congenital infections that can be passed from mother to fetus during pregnancy and cause significant fetal or neonatal problems. Toxoplasmosis is a classic component of this group because it is one of the well-recognized infections that can lead to severe fetal consequences, and testing for it is routinely included in TORCH screens. Toxoplasma gondii can be acquired from undercooked meat or cat feces, and many maternal infections are asymptomatic, yet fetal exposure can cause chorioretinitis, hydrocephalus, and intracranial calcifications. While other infections like syphilis may appear in broader variants of the panel, toxoplasmosis is the infection most consistently identified as the representative “T” in TORCH, making it the best answer.

The TORCH panel investigates congenital infections that can be passed from mother to fetus during pregnancy and cause significant fetal or neonatal problems. Toxoplasmosis is a classic component of this group because it is one of the well-recognized infections that can lead to severe fetal consequences, and testing for it is routinely included in TORCH screens. Toxoplasma gondii can be acquired from undercooked meat or cat feces, and many maternal infections are asymptomatic, yet fetal exposure can cause chorioretinitis, hydrocephalus, and intracranial calcifications. While other infections like syphilis may appear in broader variants of the panel, toxoplasmosis is the infection most consistently identified as the representative “T” in TORCH, making it the best answer.