Which infection is NOT traditionally included in the TORCH group?

• A. Group B Streptococcus
• B. Toxoplasmosis
• C. Rubella
• D. CMV

Answer: (A)

TORCH infections are pathogens that typically cross the placenta during pregnancy and cause congenital infection in the fetus or newborn. Toxoplasmosis, rubella, and CMV are classic examples that can infect the fetus in utero and lead to characteristic congenital manifestations. The “Other” category historically includes infections like syphilis, varicella, and parvovirus B19, among others, which share the feature of transplacental transmission and fetal impact. Group B Streptococcus, on the other hand, is usually acquired during labor from maternal genital tract colonization and leads to neonatal sepsis or pneumonia after birth rather than a congenital infection acquired in utero. That perinatal route is why it isn’t traditionally included in the TORCH group.