Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies, IgM
Also known as: Toxoplasmosis
Use
Qualitative determination of IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) to aid in the presumptive diagnosis of acute or recent T. gondii infection, including in pregnant women. It is recommended that IgM testing be performed in conjunction with IgG testing. A positive IgM but negative IgG result should be viewed with suspicion; the patient should be retested two weeks after the first test. If the patient is pregnant and IgG/IgM positive, an IgG avidity test should be performed.
Special Instructions
Consultation with a laboratory with expertise in toxoplasmosis is advised if results are ambiguous, especially in pregnant women. If IgM is positive but IgG is negative, confirmation by retesting after two weeks is prudent.
Limitations
Low levels of Toxoplasma IgM can persist for months to years following initial infection, and this could lead to misinterpretation of the results. The test is not suitable for blood/plasma donor screening and has not been cleared or approved by the FDA for such purposes.
Methodology
Immunoassay (CLIA)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 5390-0
- 5390-0
Result Turnaround Time
1-2 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
0.5 mL
Minimum Volume
0.2 mL
Container
Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube
Storage Instructions
Room temperature
Causes for Rejection
Hemolysis; lipemia; gross bacterial contamination
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 14 days |
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 14 days |