Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that causes few problems in adults, but may induce a miscarriage or congenital abnormalities if contracted during pregnancy.
It is transmitted through infected meat, cat litter or soil. If the infection is contracted prior to conception there is no risk to the fetus, but if you are worried that you got the infection your doctor will recommend a toxoplasmosis screening test.
To perform the test, a sample of blood will be drawn from a vein in your arm. It is sent to the laboratory where the blood will be screened for antibodiesA protein immunoglobulin which is produced naturally by the body and is essential to the immune system by working to combat foreign bodies, germs or bacteria. They are produced by thelymphoid tissue and consist of different classes each of which is designed to fight specific antigens. They include agglutinins, bacteriolysins, opsonins and preciptin.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. to the infection.
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Toxoplasmosis antibodies are formed within two weeks of infection, but they remain in the blood for life. They are at their highest concentration about one or two months after the infection is acquired. Depending on the quantity and type of antibodies in your blood, it may be possible to determine when the infection was contracted.
The umbilical cord blood sampled by cordocentesis, or amniotic fluidThe liquid, which is produced by both the fetal membranes and the fetus that surrounds the baby during pregnancy. The liter of fluid at term serves to protect the fetus during pregnancy and also provide active chemical exchange.
The amniotic fluid consists of maternal and fetal plasma in varying concentrations. The pH of the fluid is almost neutral and clear, although lipids and desquamated fetal cells can make it cloudy.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. sampled by amniocentesis can be tested to determine if the unborn fetus has contracted the infection.
The toxoplasmosis screening test is performed if it is thought that a woman has contracted the infection during pregnancy. It can also be used to determine if the fetus has contracted the infection.
There are few, if any, risks associated with this test.
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The test is performed any time your or your doctor are concerned that you may have contracted a toxoplasmosis infection. The test may be repeated two or three times to see if the concentration of antibodiesA protein immunoglobulin which is produced naturally by the body and is essential to the immune system by working to combat foreign bodies, germs or bacteria. They are produced by thelymphoid tissue and consist of different classes each of which is designed to fight specific antigens. They include agglutinins, bacteriolysins, opsonins and preciptin.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. in the bloodstream is increasing or decreasing.
The type of antibodiesA protein immunoglobulin which is produced naturally by the body and is essential to the immune system by working to combat foreign bodies, germs or bacteria. They are produced by thelymphoid tissue and consist of different classes each of which is designed to fight specific antigens. They include agglutinins, bacteriolysins, opsonins and preciptin.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. identified in the blood sample can indicated when the toxoplasmosis infection occurred. IgG type antibodies indicate that the infection was contracted prior to conception. If the sample reveals the presence of IgM type antibodies, there is an increased risk that the fetus will become infected.
The results of screening tests that detect antibodiesA protein immunoglobulin which is produced naturally by the body and is essential to the immune system by working to combat foreign bodies, germs or bacteria. They are produced by thelymphoid tissue and consist of different classes each of which is designed to fight specific antigens. They include agglutinins, bacteriolysins, opsonins and preciptin.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. are usually reported in titers. A titer measures the amount the blood sample can be diluted with saline solution before the antibodies can no longer be identified. A titer of 1:10 means that the solution contains one part blood and ten parts saline. A titer of 1:100 indicates that more antibodies are present in the bloodstream, and the sample needs more dilution before the antibodies are no longer detected.
If toxoplasmosis antibodiesA protein immunoglobulin which is produced naturally by the body and is essential to the immune system by working to combat foreign bodies, germs or bacteria. They are produced by thelymphoid tissue and consist of different classes each of which is designed to fight specific antigens. They include agglutinins, bacteriolysins, opsonins and preciptin.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. are detected in the bloodstream it does not mean your baby is at risk of contracting the infection. You should talk to your doctor about the test results and be advised about the risks.
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