Tests for toxoplasmosis are usually performed by pregnant women or those trying to conceive. Why? Because toxoplasmosis in pregnancy is dangerous for the baby and may cause a miscarriage. What is the correct interpretation of the toxoplasmosis test results? And what is antibody avidity?

The results of the toxoplasmosis testare not difficult to interpret, but it is best to consult a doctor. Depending on the level of antibodies, your doctor may recommend different procedures. Learn how to interpret the results of toxoplasmosis studies.

Tests for toxoplasmosis - indications

Tests for toxoplasmosis should be performed by pregnant women or those trying to conceive. Why? Protozoal toxoplasmosis in pregnancyToxoplasma gondiican lead to fetal damage and even miscarriage.

Women planning pregnancy should do this test before conceiving a child. Check for the presence ofT. gondii , because not all infected have symptoms of toxoplasmosis, some patients are only carriers of the disease.

In pregnant women, testing for anti-toxoplasmosis antibodies should be performed by the 10th week of pregnancy, and in women with negative results in the first trimester, the test should be repeated between the 21st and 26th week of pregnancy.

People who are at risk of being infected with toxoplasmosis: have an outdoor cat, often eat raw meat (tartare) or sour meat, have direct contact with the ground (e.g. in the garden).

Toxoplasmosis acquired in people with normal immunity may not produce any symptoms. If they appear, the most common are: fever, flu-like symptoms, enlarged lymph nodes, joint ailments, inflammatory states of organs, as well as encephalitis and meningitis. It depends on the location of the protozoa in the body.

Testing for toxoplasmosis - what is it about

In the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, first of all serological tests help. Currently, the level of IgM and IgG anti-toxoplasmosis antibodies in the blood serum is commonly determined.

The test consists in taking a blood sample. You don't need to fast. It is also worth informing the doctor in charge of the pregnancy about the possible risk of infection.

It is also worth carrying out the test in a specialized laboratory, e.g. atan infectious disease hospital. Certainly, such a study will be more reliable. Sometimes the results obtained in ordinary private laboratories can be misleading. This is due to different reference values ​​for antibody concentration and avidity in different laboratories.

Tests For Toxoplasmosis - Results

  • IgG (-); IgM (-) - no infection, check-ups every 3 months during pregnancy
  • IgG (+); IgM (-) - past infection (exception - very high concentration of IgG, check the avidity of antibodies)
  • IgG (-); IgM (+) - fresh infection, urgent medical visit necessary, possibly treatment
  • IgG (+); IgM (+) - recent infection, avidity can be checked (if it is low, you probably need to start treatment in a pregnant woman)

Tests for toxoplasmosis - IgG avidity

IgG avidity allows you to determine whether the infection is fresh (low avidity) or several months or years earlier (high avidity). Testing the avidity sometimes helps doctors make a decision about the antibiotic treatment of the expectant mother.

Important

The most dangerous infection is in the first trimester, because it can end in miscarriage. Fresh infection in the second trimester of pregnancy may result in nervous system and eye defects, and in the third trimester anemia or enlargement of the liver.

The risk of complications in a child is inversely proportional to the duration of pregnancy: it decreases with each subsequent trimester. Besides, even if an infection does occur, it does not mean that the baby will be born sick, most babies are born he althy.

Category:

Pregnant examinations