Toxo Gondii-IgM Test

What is Toxoplasma Gondii?

Toxoplasma Gondii is a toxoplasmosis disease-causing parasite. The symptoms of toxoplasmosis are the same as the flu. It is easily transmitted through warm-blooded animals like birds and mammals. There are several factors that can cause Toxoplasmosis. A few common factors are:

– Ingesting the parasite when handling the excreta of infected cats.
– Drinking unpasteurized goat’s milk.
– By eating contaminated meat.
– Receiving an infected organ transplant or blood transfusion.
– During pregnancy. the toxoplasmosis infection can also get passed from the mother to the fetus via the placenta.

What is the Toxo Gondii-IgM test?

The Toxo Gondii-IgM test is used for assessing and monitoring the content of the IgM(immunoglobulin M) antibodies in the blood. The Toxo Gondii -IgM test helps in determining if a person has a current active toxoplasmosis infection.

The Toxo Gondii-IgM antibodies exist in the blood for several months even after the toxoplasmosis infection is resolved. Hence the Toxo Gondii IgM test also helps in evaluating if an individual had any recent infection.
 
The Toxo Gondii IgM test can be conducted by using a blood sample or a sample of CSF(Cerebrospinal Fluid). In the case of pregnant women, a sample of amniotic fluid can also be collected for carrying out the test.

Why did my doctor recommend to undergo the Toxo Gondii-IgM test?

Your doctor might recommend you to undergo the Toxo Gondii-IgM test for the following reasons:

– If you are pregnant and you have symptoms of toxoplasmosis, the doctor might suggest you take the Toxo Gondii IgM test to evaluate if you have any active toxoplasmosis infection.

– If you are having a weak immune system accompanied by the symptoms of the toxoplasmosis infection, exposure to the Toxo Gondii parasite is suspected. In this case, the Toxo Gondii IgM test is recommended by your doctor.

– In the cases of severe eye or brain infection, a healthcare practitioner might suspect that it is due to toxoplasmosis infection. In this case, the Toxo Gondii IgM test is significantly suggested by your doctor.

When should I take a Toxo Gondii-IgM test?

Toxoplasmosis infection involves various signs and symptoms. When you are showing symptoms of the toxoplasmosis infection, the Toxo Gondii-IgM test is significantly suggested. The common symptoms of Toxoplasmosis infection are as follows:

– Eye inflammation and fever
– Diarrhea
– Vomiting
– Weight loss
– Neurological symptoms
– Jaundice
– Swollen lymph nodes
– Difficulty in breathing due to pneumonia
– Lethargy, Tiredness

What are the preparations needed for the Toxo Gondii IgM test?

There are no specific preparations required for the Toxo Gondii IgM test.

– No fasting is required.
– There’s no inclusion of any new medicine.
– Old medications can be continued and needed not to be stopped.

What is the procedure of the blood test of the Toxo Gondii IgM test?

A blood sample is collected for carrying out the Toxo Gondii M test. It is done by the procedure of venipuncture. The process of venipuncture is done by following these steps elaborated below:

– A tourniquet is wrapped around the upper arm to make the veins more prominent.

– A syringe or needle is used to draw blood by puncturing the vein.

– The blood is drawn into the tube of the syringe.

– The tourniquet is unwrapped.

– An antiseptic is applied to the spot of venipuncture to avoid any infection.

– The spot of injection of the syringe is dabbed by a cotton swab or a bandage is put to stop any further bleeding.

-The blood sample is then sent to the laboratory for the Toxo Gondii IgM test.
 
In the case of infants, the blood sample is collected from the heels of the infant with a simple pinprick.

What is the procedure of the CSF(Cerebrospinal Fluid) test for the Toxo Gondii IgM Test?

The procedure of collection of Cerebrospinal Fluid includes:
 
– You will have to lie down on your side with the knees pulled closer to your chest and the chin bent downwards.

– The CSF can also be collected while you are sitting bent forward.

– The practitioner then applies a numbing cream or inject a numbing medicine(anesthesia) in the lower back of the spinal cord.

– Once the area on your back is completely numb, a needle or a syringe is injected in between two vertebrae of the spinal cord.

– The CSF is collected inside the tube of the syringe. It can take about five minutes.

– You need to stay still as the cerebrospinal fluid is being withdrawn.

– As the CSF is collected, the area of the puncture is cleaned and bandaged.

You might be asked to lie down on your back for an hour or two after the CSF(Cerebrospinal Fluid) sample collection. This will help you avoid getting any headaches afterward.

What is the procedure of the amniotic fluid sample collection in pregnant women for the Toxo Gondii IgM test?

The procedure of collection of the amniotic fluid and testing it is called amniocentesis. The procedure for collecting the amniotic fluid sample is as follows:

– Position the patient properly.

– Sterilize the exposed area of the abdomen.

– Use an anesthetic to avoid any kind of pain.

– Then inject the ultrasound-guided hollow needle through the anterior abdominal wall into the amniotic cavity.

– Draw a sample of 15 to 20ml of amniotic fluid.

– Send the sample to the laboratory for the Toxo Gondii IgG test.

Is the procedure of the Toxo Gondii IgM Test painful?

There’s no pain associated with the collection of the blood sample. A person might feel a pin pricking sensation for a very brief moment after the test. The pain wears off within a few hours.

What are the risks of the Toxo Gondii IgM Test?

Some people feel light-headed and dizzy after the blood is drawn. It might cause Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin causing a lump or bruise). There might be pain associated with too many punctures for finding a vein.

What are the risks of the Toxo Gondii IgM CSF(Cerebrospinal Fluid) Test?

There are a few risks which are associated with the CSF(Cerebrospinal Fluid) collection. Some of the risks are, as listed below:

– Discomfort or pain during the procedure

– Bleeding into the spinal cord, particularly in people having a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)

– Headache as a result of CSF leakage

– Infection

– Nerve damage

What are the risks of the amniocentesis process of the Toxo Gondii IgM test?

There are some risks related to the amniocentesis process:

– Miscarriage.
– Preterm delivery.
 

What is the price of the Toxo Gondii IgM test in India?

The price for the Toxo Gondii IgM test starts from Rs 580 in India. It varies in various places across the country i.e. the price is different based on the city or the state the diagnostic center is located in.

When will I get my results for the Toxo Gondii IgM?

You will get your results for the Toxo Gondii IgM within 24 hours to 36 hours after the test.

What does my Toxo Gondii IgM test result depict?

Generally, the Toxo Gondii IgM test is coupled with the Toxo Gondii IgG test. Therefore the complete specific depiction of the result is done by assessing the presence or the absence of both the Toxo Gondii IgG antibodies as well as the Toxo Gondii IgM antibodies.

How to understand my CSF(Cerebrospinal Fluid) results for the Toxo Gondii IgM?

Is the Toxo Gondii IgM test recommended for kids?

The Toxo Gondii IgM test is completely safe for kids. The process of venipuncture or even the CSF(cerebrospinal fluid) sample collection procedure is safe for kids. There can be a few risks involved in it as mentioned above.

When should I take my kid for a Toxo Gondii IgM test?

There are several signs and symptoms shown by the kids in the case of toxoplasmosis infection. Some of the most common signs and symptoms are as follows:

– Fever
– Swollen glands (lymph nodes)
– Jaundice (yellowed skin and eyes caused by high levels of the liver chemical bilirubin)
– Unusually large or small head
– Rash
– Bruises or bleeding under the skin
– Anemia
– Enlarged liver or spleen

When should my newborn undergo the Toxo Gondii IgM test?

There are a few symptoms that are associated with the congenital toxoplasmosis infection. If the symptoms of the congenital toxoplasmosis are noticed, the Toxo Gondii IgM test is highly recommended. Some of the symptoms of the Congenital Toxoplasmosis are:

– Seizures
– Limp muscle tone
– Feeding problems
– Hearing loss
– Intellectual disability (mental retardation)

What are the benefits and limitations of the Toxo Gondii IgM test?