Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42633421›Full record

SynthesisPeerJ2026

Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, and syphilis infections among pregnant women and infants in Malaysia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abdirahman Hussein Elmi, Ahmad Adebayo Irekeola, Hafeez Abiola Afolabi, Khalid Hajissa, Yusuf Wada, Chan Yean Yean, Zeehaida Mohamed

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PeerJ, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Abdirahman Hussein ElmiDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia.
Ahmad Adebayo IrekeolaBasic Sciences Unit, School of Dental Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia.
Hafeez Abiola AfolabiDepartment of General Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia.
Khalid HajissaDepartment of Zoology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan.
Yusuf WadaDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia.
Chan Yean YeanDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia.
Zeehaida MohamedDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, and syphilis (TORCH) infections in infants and pregnant women are a cause for concern. However, the true prevalence of the infections among these populations in Malaysia is unknown. Methodology: This study represents the first systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the seroprevalence of TORCH agents in pregnant women and infants in Malaysia. Data from scientific articles published until November 2025 were analyzed. Results: A total of 19 reports on the seroprevalence of infection by TORCH agents in Malaysia were analyzed. The overall seroprevalence was 32.5% (95% CI [16.6-53.8%]; Conclusions: This study reveals a high seroprevalence of TORCH infection and underscores the importance of adequately screening pregnant women to prevent potential vertical transmission to the neonate.

Indexed as

Cytomegalovirus InfectionsHerpes SimplexPregnancy Complications, InfectiousRubellaSyphilisToxoplasmosisFemaleHumansInfantMalaysiaPregnancySeroepidemiologic StudiesInfantMalaysiaMeta-analysisPregnant womenSeroprevalenceTORCH infection

Identifiers

PMID42633421
PMCPMC13499533

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.