Toxoplasma gondii (IgG, IgM), ELISA, CSF

Test Code

10485

CPT Codes
86777, 86778

Preferred Specimen

0.5 mL CSF collected in a sterile leak-proof container
Specimen should be collected under aseptic or sterile condition.

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 30 days

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Body fluids other than CSF are not acceptable • Extensive hemolysis may affect performance • Icteric, lipemic or bacterially contaminated specimens should be avoided also • Specimens with observable particulate matter should be clarified by cerntrifugation prior to testing • gross hemolysis • grossly lipemic • grossly icteric

Methodology
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Setup Schedule

A.M. Sets up 2 days a week.

Report Available

Reports same day.

Clinical Significance

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

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.