Toxoplasma IgM Antibodies
Toxoplasma IgM Antibodies Test
- This test is meant to measure the Toxoplasma gondii-induced IgM antibodies in the blood.
- No special preparation is required.
- This test would provide the value of Toxoplasma Gondi induced IgM antibodies.
What is Toxoplasma Gondii induced IgM Antibodies ?
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. This infection can pass on from the animals to the humans by eating undercooked meat of an infected animal. It can also pass through by coming in contact with the feces of an infected animal. Toxoplasmosis causes fever, nausea, headache, muscle fatigue, sore throat all flu like symptoms. The body of an infected human produces Toxoplasma IgM antibodies and this test detects Toxoplasma gondii-induced IgM antibodies. IgM antibodies come initially after infection and help with early detection.
During pregnancy, it can infect the fetus. The infection fades in adults in a few days, but pregnant women and unborn babies might suffer heart, brain, lung, and eye damage.
Reported Parameters
Toxoplasma gondii IgM Antibodies
Reference Range
AU/ml Interpretation
- <8.00 Negative
- 8.00 -9.99 Equivocal
- >9.99 Positive
All The Questions that you might have
- Why is Toxoplasma gondii IgM Antibodies Test Done ?
- What is the treatment for Toxoplasmosis ?
- What is the potential harm to an unborn baby due to Toxoplasmosis ?
- Tips for Pregnant Women having pet cats to avoid Toxoplasmosis ?
There are chances of damage to the organs of the unborn child due to Toxoplasmosis caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, so this test is mostly done during pregnancy.
People often get the infection from eating undercooked meat. You can also get it from contact with cat feces. The parasite can pass to a baby during pregnancy.
Most people infected with the parasite do not have symptoms. Some people get flu-like symptoms. Serious disease most often affects infants and people with weakened immune systems. Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy may cause miscarriage and birth defects.
Most infections don’t need treatment. Drug treatment is used for people with more-serious cases, pregnant people, newborns and people with weakened immune systems. Several steps to prevent toxoplasmosis can lower the risk of infection.
Toxoplasmosis can pass from the mother to the fetus during a pregnancy. This is called congenital toxoplasmosis.
Infection during the first trimester often causes more-severe disease. It also may result in miscarriage. For some babies with toxoplasmosis, serious disease may be present at birth or appear early in infancy. Medical problems may include:
- Too much fluid in or around the brain, also called hydrocephalus.
- Severe eye infection.
- Irregularities in brain tissues.
- An enlarged liver or spleen.
Symptoms of severe disease vary. They may include:
- Problems with mental or motor skills.
- Blindness or other vision problems.
- Hearing problems.
- Seizures.
- Heart disorders.
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, also called jaundice.
- Rash.
Most babies with toxoplasmosis do not show symptoms. But problems may show up later in childhood or teenage years. These include:
- Return of eye infections.
- Problems with motor skill development.
- Problems with thinking and learning.
- Hearing loss.
- Slowed growth.
- Early puberty.
- Help your cat stay healthy. Keep your cat indoors. Feed it dry or canned cat food, not raw or undercooked meat.
- Avoid stray cats or kittens. Avoid stray cats, especially kittens. Do not get a new cat when you’re pregnant.
- Have someone else clean the litter box. Clean the box daily, if possible. If someone else can’t clean it, wear gloves and a face mask to change the litter. Then wash your hands well.
