Toxoplasmosis Parasite Infection Test

Author: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Published: 2011/05/24 - Updated: 2019/01/16
Contents: Summary - Main - Related Publications

Synopsis: Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii and can cause serious health problems in people with compromised immune systems.

Main Digest

FDA clears first test for recent infection with toxoplasmosis parasite.

On May 18, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the first test to help determine whether a pregnant woman or a person with swollen lymph nodes testing positive for toxoplasmosis, developed the infection within the past four months.

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii.

The infection can cause serious health problems in people with compromised immune systems.

Women who become infected just before or during pregnancy may pass the parasite on to their unborn child, resulting in miscarriage, stillbirth, or an abnormally small or large head. Infection can also lead to vision loss, mental disability, seizures or other health problems later in life for the child.

VIDAS TOXO IgG Avidity Assay Test

The VIDAS TOXO IgG Avidity assay can be used to rule out recent Toxoplasma gondii infection.

The test works by detecting how strongly IgG avidity antibodies bind to the Toxoplasma gondii antigens in the assay. IgG avidity antibodies from infections older than four months bind tightly with the antigens, while IgG avidity antibodies from infections acquired in the past four months form weaker bonds.

"Toxoplasmosis can have serious and lasting health consequences for infants that acquire the infection in the womb," said Alberto Gutierrez, Ph.D., director of the Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Device Evaluation and Safety in FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "This test gives doctors an additional tool to determine if women with confirmed cases of toxoplasmosis acquired the infection before or during pregnancy."

The VIDAS TOXO IgG Avidity Assay test is for use in people who have been confirmed with the Toxoplasma gondii infection by using the VIDAS TOXO IgG II test and who are pregnant or have swollen lymph glands. The VIDAS TOXO IgG Avidity Assay test alone should not be used as a basis for clinical decisions.

The performance of the VIDAS TOXO IgG Avidity Assay has not been established for prenatal screening, for immunocompromised patients, or for cases of toxoplasmosis reinfection or relapse, and the FDA has not cleared or approved the VIDAS TOXO IgG Avidity Assay for blood or plasma donor screening.

The VIDAS TOXO IgG Avidity assay is manufactured by bioMerieux Inc. of Hazelwood, Mo.

Attribution/Source(s):

This quality-reviewed publication pertaining to our FDA News and Approvals section was selected for circulation by the editors of Disabled World due to its likely interest to our disability community readers. Though the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or length, the article "Toxoplasmosis Parasite Infection Test" was originally written by U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and submitted for publishing on 2011/05/24 (Edit Update: 2019/01/16). Disabled World makes no warranties or representations in connection therewith.

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Cite This Page (APA): U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2011, May 24). Toxoplasmosis Parasite Infection Test. Disabled World. Retrieved March 29, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/medical/pharmaceutical/fda/toxoplasmosis.php

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