Toxoplasma gondii IgG + avidity

General information:

Serological testing for Ig class antibodies for toxoplasmosis and avidity. The test is suitable for pregnant women in whom the primary screening (Ig M + Ig G) is positive. The presence of only IgG-antibodies indicates a past infection and established immunity, which does not pose a risk to the fetus and does not require an avidity test. In some women, M-class antibodies circulate for years, and this requires a closer look at the results of the serological test.
Symptoms on the part of the pregnant woman are quite non-specific, flu-like - fatigue, headache, fever, lymphadenopathy, etc. In a large percentage of cases, it is asymptomatic. If the patient has had toxoplasmosis more than 3 months before becoming pregnant, there is no risk to the fetus because IgG antibodies have been developed. If the pregnant woman falls ill immediately before or during pregnancy, such antibodies are missing and the toxoplasma passes and causes damage to the fetus.

When infected with toxoplasmosis during the first trimester, the risk of transplacental transmission of infection is low, but the damage that occurs during this period of organogenesis is much more serious and severe. When sick during the third trimester, the risk of transmitting the infection transplacentally is very high, but usually the damage that occurs is milder. Congenital toxoplasmosis is characterized by the triad - hydrocephalus, brain calcifications and chorioretinitis. Among the disabilities that can also occur are: miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, etc.

The diagnosis is made by an ultrasound examination, which visualizes defects such as microcephaly, hydrocephalus, brain calcifications, ascites, dilatation of the ventricles. If congenital toxoplasmosis is suspected, amniocentesis can also be performed.

Result: low avidity indicates infection in the last 4 months.

Sample required:

Venous blood

Keywords:

toxoplasmosis, avidity