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ELISA
TORCH IgG is a panel of IgG antibody tests, one result for each organism in the TORCH group, Toxoplasma, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes simplex virus, run together as a single blood draw. It answers one question for all four at once: have you been exposed to any of these in the past. This is narrower than the full TORCH Profile, which reports both IgG and IgM for each organism; here, only the IgG side is reported, so it does not tell your doctor about a current or recent infection in any of the four.
The panel reports one IgG result for each organism, Toxoplasma, Rubella, CMV, and HSV, usually as reactive/non-reactive or an index value per organism, on an ELISA-based platform. A reactive IgG for Rubella or CMV generally reflects past exposure and, for Rubella particularly, immunity; a non-reactive Toxoplasma or CMV IgG means no documented past exposure. Reference values differ by lab and organism, so read each line of the report against the ranges printed alongside it.
TORCH stands for Toxoplasma, Other agents, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes simplex virus, a group of infections that matter most when they happen during pregnancy, because they can cross the placenta and affect a developing baby. The full TORCH Profile checks both antibody classes, IgG and IgM, for each of these organisms. TORCH IgG is a smaller version of that panel: it runs only the IgG side across the same organisms, one IgG result per infection, in a single blood draw.
Because IgG reflects past exposure and, for most of these infections, lasting immunity, this panel is used to build an overall immunity picture, typically early in pregnancy or during pre-pregnancy counselling. A positive Rubella IgG, for example, is reassuring, since it usually means past infection or vaccination and protection against a new infection during this pregnancy. A negative Toxoplasma or CMV IgG means no documented past exposure, so extra care around exposure sources, undercooked meat and cat litter for Toxoplasma, for instance, may be advised.
What this panel cannot do is flag a current or recent infection, since that needs the IgM side. If your doctor is investigating an active illness rather than checking your immunity history, expect them to add IgM testing or order the combined Profile instead.
TORCH IgG reports only the IgG antibody for each organism in the group. The full TORCH Profile reports both IgG and IgM for each organism, so it also checks for a current or recent infection.
It reports IgG results for Toxoplasma, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes simplex virus, one result per organism from a single blood draw.
No. IgG mainly reflects past exposure and, for some of these infections, lasting immunity. A current or recent infection needs the IgM side, which this panel does not include.
It generally means you have had past infection or vaccination and are considered immune, which is reassuring information ahead of or during pregnancy.
This page is general information about the test, not medical advice. Your own report's reference ranges apply — please discuss your results with your doctor.
It usually means no documented past exposure, so your doctor may advise extra caution around exposure sources during pregnancy, such as undercooked meat or cat litter for Toxoplasma.
If there is a specific concern about a current or recent infection, rather than just checking your immunity history, your doctor will usually add IgM or order the combined Profile.
Yes, each organism has its own reactive/non-reactive cut-off or index range, and these vary by lab and testing kit, so check the values printed on your own report.