Toxoplasmosis Test

Test Overview

A toxoplasmosis test is a blood test that checks for antibodies to the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. Your body's natural defense system (immune system) will make these antibodies only if you have been infected by this tiny parasite. The amount and type of antibodies you have shows whether your infection is recent or occurred in the past. More than one blood test may be done over several weeks.

For most people, toxoplasmosis is not dangerous and goes away on its own. However, if a pregnant woman becomes infected and passes it on to her unborn baby (fetus), it can cause blindness and brain damage in the fetus.

You can become infected by eating food such as undercooked or raw meat from an infected animal or by handling an infected cat or its stool (feces). Once you have been infected, you will have antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii for the rest of your life, so you cannot be infected again.

To see if your unborn baby is infected, the test can also be done on blood from the umbilical cord or on a sample of the fluid that is around your baby (amniotic fluid) taken during amniocentesis.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: June 27, 2007
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Gregory A L Davies, MD, FRCSC, FACOG - Maternal-Fetal Medicine
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