Preferred Specimen(s) 1 mL serum
Transport Container Plastic leak proof container
Transport Temperature Refrigerated 3 days
Reject Criteria
- Gross hemolysis
- Hyperlipemia
Methodology CLIA
Clinical Significance Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection of humans caused by the protozoan toxoplasma gondii. In acute infections in immuno-competent hosts, only 10-20% of toxoplasma infections is symptomatic and usually present as asymptomatic cervical lymphadenopathy. The clinical picture may resemble infectious mononucleosis or CMV infection and the course is self-limited. Acute toxoplasmosis in immunodeficient hosts is the most common cause of intracerebral mass lesions. Serologic tests rarely confirm the diagnosis of toxoplasmic encephalitis in AIDS patients. Although a negative test result for specific IgG antibody diminishes the likelihood of toxoplasmic encephalitis, approximately 3% of patients with toxoplasmic encephalitis do not have toxoplasma antibody in their serum.