Question 1

What is Congenital Toxoplasmosis?

Accepted Answer

Congenital toxoplasmosis occurs when a pregnant woman becomes infected with Toxoplasma gondii for the first time during pregnancy and passes the infection to her unborn child. It is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, commonly found in cat feces, contaminated soil, and undercooked meat. The Toxoplasma Antibody IgG test is the most important test for assessing maternal exposure and infection risk during pregnancy.

Question 2

What causes congenital toxoplasmosis?

Accepted Answer

Congenital toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii when a pregnant woman becomes infected for the first time during pregnancy. The parasite is commonly found in cat feces, contaminated soil, undercooked or raw meat, and unwashed fruits and vegetables. When a woman who has never been exposed to Toxoplasma gondii becomes infected during pregnancy, the parasite can cross the placenta and infect the developing baby, leading to serious complications including eye damage, brain abnormalities, hearing loss, and developmental delays.

Question 3

What is the best test for congenital toxoplasmosis?

Accepted Answer

The Toxoplasma Antibody IgG test is the most important test for assessing congenital toxoplasmosis risk because it detects IgG antibodies that indicate whether a woman has been exposed to Toxoplasma gondii. This test is essential for pregnant women or those planning pregnancy, as it helps determine if the infection is new or established. A negative IgG result means no previous exposure, making the woman susceptible to primary infection during pregnancy, while a positive result suggests past exposure and lower risk. Healthcare providers may also order IgM antibody testing to help determine the timing of infection, which is critical for assessing transmission risk to the baby.

Question 4

When should I get tested for congenital toxoplasmosis?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, especially if you have cats, handle raw meat regularly, garden frequently, or have experienced flu-like symptoms during early pregnancy. Women who work with animals, live on farms, or have occupations involving soil exposure should consider testing before conception. Testing is particularly important if you develop symptoms like swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, or fatigue during pregnancy, as these could indicate a new Toxoplasma infection that poses risk to your baby.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of congenital toxoplasmosis?

Accepted Answer

Many babies born with congenital toxoplasmosis have no obvious symptoms at birth, but complications can develop later in childhood. When symptoms are present, they may include premature birth, low birth weight, jaundice, enlarged liver or spleen, eye inflammation or vision problems, hearing loss, seizures, and abnormally large or small head size. Some children develop learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or vision loss months or years after birth. Infected mothers typically have mild or no symptoms, though some experience flu-like illness with swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, and fatigue during the acute infection.

Question 6

Who is at risk for congenital toxoplasmosis?

Accepted Answer

Women who have never been exposed to Toxoplasma gondii before pregnancy are at highest risk, as they lack protective antibodies. Cat owners, particularly those who clean litter boxes, face increased exposure risk. Women who consume undercooked meat, unwashed produce, or unpasteurized dairy products are also at risk. Gardeners and those with occupational exposure to soil, such as farmers or landscapers, have higher risk of infection. Women with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to severe infection. Geographic location matters too, as toxoplasmosis is more common in certain regions with warmer, humid climates.

Question 7

What happens if congenital toxoplasmosis is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

If congenital toxoplasmosis is left untreated, affected children can develop severe and progressive complications throughout their lives. Untreated babies face high risk of vision loss or blindness due to progressive eye damage, hearing loss, intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, and seizure disorders. Even children who appear healthy at birth can develop serious problems years later, including learning disabilities, motor skill impairments, and behavioral issues. Early detection and treatment with antiparasitic medications during pregnancy or in infancy can significantly reduce the severity of complications and improve long-term outcomes for the child.

Question 8

Can congenital toxoplasmosis be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Yes, blood tests are essential for diagnosing the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis by detecting antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in the mother's blood. The Toxoplasma Antibody IgG test identifies previous exposure, while IgM antibody testing can help determine if an infection is recent or occurred in the past. For newborns suspected of having congenital toxoplasmosis, blood tests can detect IgG and IgM antibodies, though IgG antibodies may be from the mother and can persist for months. Additional testing, including PCR testing of amniotic fluid during pregnancy or specialized newborn tests, may be needed for definitive diagnosis.

Question 9

How is congenital toxoplasmosis treated?

Accepted Answer

Congenital toxoplasmosis is treated with antiparasitic medications to reduce the severity of complications. If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with acute toxoplasmosis, she may be treated with spiramycin to reduce the risk of transmission to the baby. If the baby is confirmed to be infected in the womb, stronger medications like pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine may be used. Infected newborns typically receive a year-long course of antiparasitic treatment with pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, and folinic acid. Early treatment can significantly improve outcomes, reducing the risk of vision loss, brain damage, and other complications. Regular monitoring and supportive care for vision, hearing, and development are also essential.

Question 10

How can I prevent congenital toxoplasmosis?

Accepted Answer

You can prevent congenital toxoplasmosis by avoiding cat litter boxes during pregnancy or wearing gloves and washing hands thoroughly afterward. Cook all meat to safe internal temperatures, wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, and avoid unpasteurized dairy products. Wear gloves when gardening or handling soil and wash your hands afterward. Avoid feeding your cat raw or undercooked meat. If you are planning pregnancy and have never been exposed to Toxoplasma gondii, consider testing before conception to know your immune status. Pregnant women should avoid contact with stray cats and practice good hand hygiene after handling raw meat.

Question 11

What can I do at home to reduce my risk of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

At home, you can reduce your risk by having someone else handle cat litter box duties or using gloves and a mask if you must do it yourself, changing the litter daily before parasites become infectious. Keep cats indoors and feed them only commercial cat food to prevent them from hunting infected prey. Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw meat and use separate cutting boards for meat and vegetables. Wash all produce carefully under running water, even if you plan to peel it. Freeze meat for several days before cooking, as freezing can kill Toxoplasma parasites. Keep your kitchen surfaces clean and sanitized after preparing raw meat.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short:
            
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Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

In the test options, find the test you want.
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Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
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Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.
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            Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
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Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
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Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached!
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Congenital Toxoplasmosis Blood Test

What is Congenital Toxoplasmosis?

What causes congenital toxoplasmosis?

What is the best test for congenital toxoplasmosis?

When should I get tested for congenital toxoplasmosis?

References

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