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Toxoplasma IgM

Toxoplasma Antibody, IgM

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB6892, Beaker: TOXIM

Department

Special Chemistry

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Gold-top SST tube. (Minimum Whole Blood: 2.0 mL)

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) the centrifuged collection tube within two hours of collection. (Minimum Serum: 0.5 mL)

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Centrifuged collection tube, refrigerated (2-8 °C or 36-46 °F). (Minimum Serum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Plasma specimens. 
• Lipemic, icteric, or grossly hemolyzed specimens. 

In-Lab Processing

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Room temperature is acceptable for a maximum of two hours. (Minimum Serum: 0.5 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Centrifuged SST Tubes and Microtainers^® with Separator Gels
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 8 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Red-top Tubes and Microtainers^® without Separator Gels
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 8 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Serum Specimens (Pour-Overs)
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 8 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 6 months

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Royal Oak Special Testing Laboratory

Performed

Tuesday, Friday.
Results available in 2-3 business days.

Reference Range

Negative:  ≤ 9 IU/mL
Equivocal:  10.0-11.0 IU/mL
Positive:  ≥ 12 IU/mL

Test Methodology

Multiplex Flow Assay

Interpretation

• Positive: Toxoplasma IgM antibodies were detected.
• Negative: Toxoplasma IgM antibodies were not detected.
• Equivocal: Consider repeat testing within one week.
• The presence of IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, is an indication of a recent exposure to the organism.

Clinical Utility

This assay is used for the qualitative measurement of IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in human serum to aid in the presumptive diagnosis of a primary infection.

Clinical Disease

The causative agent of Toxoplasmosis is Toxoplasma gondii a small intracellular protozoan parasite. Eighty to ninety percent of Toxoplasma infections are asymptomatic. Symptomatic patients may present with cervical lymphadenopathy, fever, sore throat, malaise, rash, or hepatosplenomegaly. Immunodeficient patients may have systemic infection, pneumonia, chorioretinitis, or CNS manifestations such as abscesses, encephalopathy, or encephalitis. Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy may cause spontaneous abortion or disease in the infant with symptoms developing after birth (2).

Epidemiology

Toxoplasmosis occurs worldwide. Asymptomatic infections are common. Serological surveys show that 7 to 80% of various populations are infected. The developing fetus and immunocompromised patients are at risk for severe disease (1).

Transmission

Transmission may occur transplacentally, by ingestion of raw or undercooked meat containing tissue cysts, or by exposure to oocysts in soil contaminated with cat feces (1).

Reference

1. Berkow R, Fletcher A. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy 16th edition, Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway, N.J., 1992.
2. Bakerman S. Bakerman's ABC's of Interpretive Laboratory Data 3rd edition, Interpretive Laboratory Data, Inc., Myrtle Beach, SC, 1994.

CPT Codes

86778
LOINC: 40678-5

Contacts

Last Updated

2/10/2024