INTRODUCTION Toxoplasma gondii, others, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex (all together denoted as TORCH) are the major causes of bad obstetric history (BOH) and may cause birth defects. Therefore, antenatal screening for antibodies to TORCH infectious agents is an important tool for diagnosis. Thus, the study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of TORCH among mothers with a loss of pregnancy (abortion) or stillbirth. METHODS A laboratory-based cross-sectional study on the frequency and associated risk factors for the prevalence of TORCH was conducted from 28 February to 31 March 2018. The study included 44 women aged 18-45 years who were admitted at Orotta Maternity National Referral and Teaching Hospital, Asmara, Eritrea, due to loss of pregnancy (abortion) or stillbirth. The study participants were selected by systematic random sampling. From each woman, 3 mL of venous blood was collected in a container with aseptic technique. Immunoglobulin G antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex were detected by IgG Combo Rapid Test Cassette (Serum). RESULTS Of the 44 mothers with mean age of 29.3 years (SD=5.6), who were tested by IgG Combo Rapid Test Cassette

Background Reliable real-world data on direct acting anti-retroviral (DAA) uptake and treatment outcomes are lacking for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study provides data on HCV DAA-based treatment outcomes, mortality, loss-to-follow up, and associated factors among patients in Eritrea. Methodology: A multicenter retrospective observational cohort study was conducted in two tertiary hospitals in Asmara, Eritrea. A structured checklist was used to collect data from patients’ cards. Descriptive and inferential statistics used included means, medians, chi-squire, Kaplan–Meier estimates, and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. Results Out of 238 patients enrolled in the study, 227 were initiated on treatment. 125 patients had viral load at 12 weeks EOT whereas 102 patients had no viral load at 12 weeks EOT. Out of these patients with HCV RNA data post EOT, 116 (92.8%) had SVR12. The prevalence of death and lost-to-follow up (LTFU) were (7.5%, 95% CI: 1.7–4.1) and 67 (28.1%, 95% CI: 22.3–33.9) and 1.1 (95%CI: 0.8–1.5) per 10,000 person days, respectively. Independent predictors of LTFU included the enrollment year (2020: aHR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1-4.7; p-value = 0.04); Hospital (Hospital B: aHR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1-4.7; p-value = 0.03) and the FIB-4 score (FIB-Score < 1.45: aHR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.2–11.5; p-value = 0.02). Conclusion The SVR rates achieved in this cohort were high. However, high mortality, late presentation and suboptimal population screening/case finding were uncovered. These challenges can be addressed by test-and-treat programs that simultaneously prioritize programmatic screening, decentralization of care, and better patient tracking in the HCV care cascade.