Description:
Immunity screening for Toxoplasma
gondii is important in two groups of patients: pregnant women and the
immunocompromised. In both groups, the consequences of toxoplasma infection can
be severe. For pregnant women it must provide good evidence of immunity but not
give false reassurance of immunity; for the immunocompromised it must
accurately identify past infection and the risk of toxoplasma reactivation. The
demand for immunity screening is increasing and the needs of both patient
groups must be met within the toxoplasma testing scheme. This article aims to
determine the best approach to screening for toxoplasma immunity.
Learning Objectives:
- Reflect on a study done on T. gondii
- Reflect on the rate of instances of toxoplasma among the
patients
- Discuss the results of the study and the prevalence of
toxoplasma antibodies in the patients
Author(s):
D. Ashburn
R. Evans, J.M.W. Chatterton
A.W.L. Joss
D.O. Ho-Yes
Launched: 2005