Toxoplasma Test - IgM

Toxoplasma IgM is a blood test used for detecting antibodies against Toxoplasma Gondii, a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis infection. A protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, can live inside cells. It can infect humans as well as a variety of other lifeforms. Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that can induce flu-like symptoms. Many warm-blooded creatures, such as birds and mammals, can transmit it. Some causes of the infection are eating unwashed or adulterated food or eating raw meat, coming in contact with contaminated soil, drinking contaminated water or unpasteurized milk and cleaning cat litter. Infected definitive hosts (cats) excrete oocysts in their faeces, which mature and become infectious in the soil. During the acute stage of acquired maternal illness, parasites can pass through the placenta and cause congenital toxoplasmosis. The risk of foetal infection varies by the month of maternal infection during pregnancy. Congenital toxoplasmosis becomes more common as the pregnancy proceeds. The Toxoplasmosis antibody test is a blood test that analyses specific immunoglobulins. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to combat antigens of a protozoan called Toxoplasma gondii. The first antibody produced by the body to fight toxoplasmosis is immunoglobulin M (IgM). It is found primarily in the blood and lymph fluid (a clear white fluid rich in white blood cells). While it can detect an infection early on, it only lasts for around 18 months at most. Congenital toxoplasmosis causes severe systemic or neurologic disease in around 20% to 30% of infants infected in pregnancy. Approximately 10% have only eye involvement and the rest are asymptomatic at birth. Premature delivery and consequent neurologic, intellectual and hearing abnormalities may arise from infection. Adults, especially immunodeficient or immunosuppressed adults, are usually asymptomatic when infected with this parasite. But in symptomatic cases, the affected person often shows inflammation and other nonspecific symptoms. It is difficult to make a precise diagnosis due to these symptoms that are similar to those of many other illnesses. Moreover, the symptoms of toxoplasmosis could be fatal in people who are immunodeficient or immunosuppressed. In many cases, these infections affect the central nervous system due to the reactivation of previous infections. A research study of Toxoplasma gondii in Indian women of childbearing age shows the prevalence rate of this infection is highest in South India with 37.3% and the lowest in West India with 8.8%