Specimen

2 mL (1 mL min.) Serum from 1 SST. Ship refrigerated or frozen.

Usage

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite capable of infecting a wide variety of intermediate hosts including man. Toxoplasmosis is acquired by humans through ingestion of food or water contaminated with cat feces or through eating undercooked meat containing viable oocysts. Vertical transmission of the parasite through the placenta can also occur, leading to Congenital toxoplasmosis. Infection in man is usually asymptomatic. Following primary infection, Toxoplasma gondii can remain latent for the life of the host; the risk for reactivation is highest among immunosuppressed individuals. The most common symptomatic presentation in man is lymphadenopathy, encephalitis, myocarditis and pneumonitis. Demonstration of Toxoplasma IgG in the serum of person with eye lesion helps in diagnosing Ocular toxoplasmosis. In addition, antibody levels and demonstration of parasite DNA in aqueous humor confirms the diagnosis of Ocular toxoplasmosis. Persistent or increasing IgG antibody levels in the infant compared with the mother and/or positive result of Toxoplasma specific IgM or IgA are diagnostic of Congenital toxoplasmosis. Demonstration of increased Toxoplasma specific IgG in CSF can help confirm the diagnosis of Toxoplasmic encephalitis when the results are compared to serum Toxoplasma specific IgG levels.