Toxoplasmosis - IgG and IgM antibody test
oxoplasmosis is a potentially serious disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The source of the disease for humans is oocysts of the parasite originating from the faeces of the host (most commonly a cat), which may be on the surface of unwashed fruit and vegetables or in infected water. Another possibility of infection is ingestion of meat with tissue cysts. Human-to-human transmission is only possible transplacentally during pregnancy, when infection of the embryo or fetus may occur if the woman becomes ill with toxoplasmosis. The disease is asymptomatic in most persons, but more rarely flu-like symptoms may occur, and the course of the disease may be severe in immunodeficient patients.
During pregnancy, transplacental transmission of toxoplasma to the embryo or fetus may occur as a result of primoinfection of the woman. Repeated infection in a woman no longer poses a risk to the pregnancy. Approximately half of infected women give birth to a child with congenital toxoplasmosis. Fetal involvement depends on the stage of pregnancy at the time of infection.
Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy:
- The earlier in pregnancy the infection occurs, the higher the risk of miscarriage or severe damage to the fetus. Therefore, the consequences are more severe in newborns infected in the early stages of pregnancy, but the risk of transplacental transmission is lower during this period.
- If a woman becomes ill in the period before conception or in the first weeks of pregnancy, spontaneous abortion often occurs.
- If a woman becomes ill in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, children may subsequently develop psychomotor developmental disorders or eye damage.
- Serious sequelae of congenital toxoplasmosis include the so-called Sabin's trias - i.e. hydrocephalus, intracranial calcification and chorioretinitis. Children may be born prematurely with low birth weight, internal organs (lungs, liver, heart, eyes, etc.) may be affected, and mental retardation, hearing impairment, visual impairment, epilepsy may be present; individual symptoms may not appear until later in life.
Who is the test for:
- The test is especially for pregnant women and women who are planning a pregnancy.
- The test is indicated by a gynaecologist or general practitioner.
- Determines the presence and level of serum IgG and IgM class antibodies.
- The test will show whether or not the person being tested has encountered the infection in the past; in the case of a positive finding, it is possible to differentiate between an acute infection that requires treatment. Targeted treatment reduces the likelihood of transmission to the fetus.
- After the 16th week of pregnancy, amniotic fluid testing can be performed.
Indications for testing:
In the case of pathological ultrasound findings in the fetus, e.g., elevated NT, hydrops, hydrocephalus, calcifications in the brain or abdominal cavity, dilatation of the cerebral ventricles, microcephaly or IUGR. Also, in the case of high-risk contact, infection and viral illness in a woman in early pregnancy.
Material: blood
5 working days
detailed information
