METHODOLOGY CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE MOLECULAR DETECTION OF TORCH ORGANISMS USING PCR APPROACHES

There is a need for a reliable and cost-effective molecular diagnostic assay for the diagnosis of TORCH [Toxoplasma gondii, Other (Varicella-Zoster virus and Parvovirus B19), Rubella virus, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes Simplex virus] infections. This would enable early and precise detection of pathogens even in a very low copy number. However, the selection of genomic target, specimen matrix, and different PCR methods can significantly affect the sensitivity and specificity of TORCH molecular detection. This review aimed to provide a comparative analysis of clinical sample types, target nucleotide sequences, and PCR detection approaches for molecular detection of TORCH organisms. This review will aid in the development of a sensitive molecular assay for quick and precise detection of TORCH organisms.