Description
Toxoplasma gondii causes toxoplasmosis, a common disease that affects 30-50 of every 100
people in North America by the time they are adults. The mean source of infection is direct
contact with cat feces or from eating undercooked meats. Toxoplasmosis generally presents with
mild symptoms in immunocompetent individuals; in the immunocompromised patient, however,
the infection can have serious consequences. Acute toxoplasmosis in pregnant women can
result in result in miscarriage, poor growth, early delivery or stillbirth. Treatment of an infected
pregnant woman may prevent or lessen the disease in her unborn child. Treatment of an infected
infant will also lessen the severity of the disease as the child grows. IgG and IgM antibodies to
Toxoplasma can be detected with 2-3 weeks after exposure. IgG remains positive, but the
antibody level drops overtime. ELISA can detect Toxoplasma IgM antibody after one year after
infection in over 50% of patients. Therefore, IgM positive results should be evaluated further with
one or two follow up samples if primary infection is suspected
