Toxoplasma IgG antibody

About Test:

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by one of the most common single celled intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It often infects all warm-blooded animals including human beings. Cats are the only known definitive hosts in which the Toxoplasma parasite may undergo sexual reproduction.

Transmission of Toxoplasmosis infection:

1. By consuming vegetables, water or soil contaminated with faeces of infected animal especially contaminated with cat’s faeces
2. By eating raw and undercooked meat especially pork, lamb, venison or shellfish
3. By drinking unpasteurized goat milk
4. Someone who has got a  blood transfusion or organ transplant
5. From an infected mother to the foetus

However, Toxoplasma infections can pose a significant medical risk in

a) Pregnant women

b) New-borns

c) Immunocompromised individuals.

Most healthy people who are infected with toxoplasmosis are asymptomatic having no signs or symptoms and aren't aware that they're infected. Some people, however, develop signs and symptoms similar to those of the flu.

However, pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune system should be very cautious because the parasite can cause serious health problems in them.

Toxoplasmosis can be acquired in infants by:

1. Transplacental transmission from an infected mother (primary infection) to foetus
2. During birth by vaginal delivery birth

In women who contract Toxoplasmosis infection during pregnancy, the risk of intrauterine transmission of toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy is much greater as compared to women who contract the virus before pregnancy.

Severity of congenital infection is greatest when maternal infection is acquired early during pregnancy.  If the woman gets infected in the first trimester, the risk of baby getting the infection is 14 - 17% with a resultant severe toxoplasmosis infection in the infant. If the woman gets infected in the third trimester, the risk of baby getting the infection is 58 - 65% with a resultant mild toxoplasmosis infection in the infant.

Toxoplasma IgG Test detects IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. The test indicates that infection has occurred but does not distinguish between recent and past infections. A positive test for Toxoplasma IgG indicates that a person was infected with Toxoplasma at some time during their life but does not indicate when a person was infected. This applies for persons ≥12 months of age when maternal antibodies are no longer present.

This test is often recommended along with Toxoplasma IgM & Toxoplasma Avidity