Toxoplasma gondii (IgG, IgM), ELISA, CSF

Room temperature

This antibody panel detects IgG and IgM against Toxoplasma gondii in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This panel may be useful as part of a diagnostic evaluation for central nervous system (CNS) toxoplasmosis, especially in immunocompromised individuals [1]. The results of this test must be interpreted in conjunction with CSF-serum antibody ratios.

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by the protozoan T gondii. Immunocompetent individuals generally have no symptoms or flu-like symptoms that resolve within weeks or months. Immunocompromised individuals can have severe or even fatal toxoplasmosis, which most often involves the CNS [1].

Serologic testing is commonly used in diagnosing toxoplasmosis. However, immunocompromised patients can have low or undetectable serum levels of Toxoplasma-specific IgG antibodies. For immunocompromised patients with suspected CNS infection, testing CSF may provide evidence of CNS toxoplasmosis through direct observation of T gondii, detection of T gondii DNA (eg, by PCR), or demonstration of local production of Toxoplasma-specific antibodies [1].

The results of this test should be interpreted in the context of pertinent clinical history and physical examination findings.

Reference
1. McAuley JB, et al. Toxoplasma. In: Carroll KC, et al, eds. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 12th ed. ASM Press; 2019. https://www.clinmicronow.org/doi/book/10.1128/9781683670438.MCM.ch141