Toxoplasma Test

The toxoplasmosis antibody test is done when the following symptoms are present:

• Fever with body ache and swollen lymph nodes in the neck, behind the ears or all over the body
• Swollen lymph nodes in the body with or without fever
• Soreness in the throat
• Weakness in the body with no definite cause for fever
• Frequent episodes of fever with recurrent swollen lymph nodes after recovery from an acute illness
• Flu-like symptoms with painless swollen lymph nodes in the body in pregnant women, and young children
• Inflammation in the eyes (retinochoroiditis) in case of young children after birth
• In rare cases, inflammation in different regions of the body, such as liver, heart, lungs and brain (meningitis), especially in persons with the weak immune system

In pregnant women, toxoplasmosis antibody test is done as a screening test before the 20th week of pregnancy to rule out T. gondii infection.

Fasting is not required before a toxoplasmosis antibody test.

Make sure that you inform your doctor in case you have consumed undercooked (meat, vegetables, etc.) or raw food (vegetables, salads, etc.) recently or if you live in close contact with cats.

A blood sample will be collected for this test from a vein in your arm.

The time taken for reporting the result of the toxoplasmosis antibody test after the sample reaches the laboratory is approximately 3 to 5 days.

An indirect fluorescent antibody test is used to detect anti-toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies in blood. High levels or titre of IgM-specific antibodies in the bloodstream indicates recent or acute infection.

A test positive for IgG antibodies signifies past infection.

Toxoplasma DNA test using PCR is done to identify the genetic material of T. gondii in individuals with weak immunity in addition to the toxoplasmosis antibody test.

Normal results: 

Titre < 1:16 indicates that there is no infection.

Abnormal results:

Different titre values may indicate the following:

• 1:256 or more – current infection or recent infection
• >1:1024 – acute infection or disease in active form
• 1:16 to 1:64 – past or previous infection
• 1:16 or less – indicates toxoplasmosis in the eyes (ocular toxoplasmosis)
• Any titre value is significant in newborn infants

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. The above information is provided from a purely educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.