Description
Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of Toxoplasmosis. It is an obligate
intracellular protozoan parasite that has been found in many species of birds,
reptiles and mammals. The organism can be transmitted through organ
transplantation, transfusion of blood and leukocyte, contact with contaminated
cat feces, and ingestion of rare or raw meats.
In adults, infection is usually benign or asymptomatic. However, symptomatic
cases including fatal cases do occur in immunosuppressed patients who has
clinical or laboratory evidence of damage to the central nervous system. In
children, the risk of fetal infection vary according to the time of pregnancy when
the mother becomes infected. Maternal infections occurring during the first
trimester is less likely to pass infection to the fetus, however, if transmission
occurs, severe outcomes such as spontaneous abortion and hydrocephalus are
more likely. Infections acquired later in pregnancy, where most fetal transmissions
occur, tends to cause less severe, but nonetheless serious congenital
manifestations including cerebral calcifications and learning disabilities. After
infection, IgM antibodies appear as early as 5 days and decrease to low levels
within a few weeks or months. IgG antibodies generally appear 1-2 weeks after
infection, reaching peak levels in 6-10 weeks persisting for life.
The Toxoplasma IgM ELISA Test Kit is an immunoassay for the qualitative detection of
the presence of IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in serum or plasma specimen.
The test utilizes recombinant Toxplasma gondii antigens to selectively detect IgM
antibodies to Toxoplasma in serum or plasma.
