Objectives:To determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), Rubella virus, and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) among pregnant women in Izmir, Turkey.Methods:Medical records of pregnant women attending Izmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey between January 2014 and January 2016 were analyzed in this retrospective cross-sectional study. The 7513 T. gondii IgM/IgG results, 7189 Rubella IgM/IgG results, 906 CMV IgM/IgG results and 146 avidity test results were evaluated. Specific IgM and IgG antibodies were detected by an automated chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay method. Immunoglobulin G avidity tests were performed using a multiparametric immunoassay system.Results:The rates of IgG positivity for T. gondii was 32.3%, Rubella virus 93.5%, and CMV 98.9%. Immunoglobulin M antibodies were found to be positive in 138 (1.9%) cases for T. gondii, 88 (1.2%) cases for Rubella, and 14 (1.5%) cases for CMV. Avidity tests were ordered from 146 of 218 patients who were found both IgM and IgG positive. Among 146 patients, 6 patients had a low avidity index (all for T. gondii), 11 patients showed borderline avidity, and 129 patients revealed high avidity.Conclusion:In our region, whereas the rates of IgG positivity for Rubella and CMV are high, most pregnant women were susceptible to T. gondii infections. In order to enhance the reliability of the serological diagnosis, avidity tests should be performed in all IgM positivities detected together with IgG positivity.

Our study provides information for inappropriate laboratory utilization for hepatitis serology testing and we suggest to use diagnostic algorithms applied by the serology laboratory to decrease the rate of unhelpful test orders.

Objective: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that can be transmitted interpersonally and may causes Acquired Immunedeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). ELISA method is used in laboratory diagnosis and positive results are confirmed by Western-Blot (WB). The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of HIV positivity in a two-year period in a tertiary hospital. Methods: 59543 blood samples from the Microbiology Laboratory of Izmir Tepecik Education and Research Hospital were tested by macro ELISA (Architect, Abbott, USA) to detect HIV antibody. The test was repeated with the new blood samples of the patients that have positive or borderline test results. Negative results reported as "negative". 117 positive samples (0.2%) were validated by WB analysis in İzmir Public Health Laboratory. Results: 59543 blood samples were analyzed retrospectively and 117 samples (0.2%) were detected as anti-HIV test reactive. 48 (0.08%) positive, 5 (0.008%) dec value 64 (0.1%) has been reported as negative by verification with WB.

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