Special Precautions/Comments:

Interferences: Interference may be encountered with certain sera containing antibodies directed against reagent components. For this reason, assay results should be interpreted taking into consideration the patient’s medical history and the results of any other tests performed.

Method: Enzyme-Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA). Calibration: VIDAS assay kit standard. EQA scheme: NEQAS.  IQC: VIDAS commercial preparations.

Interpretation: Results are reported as NOT detected (negative) or DETECTED (positive). All positive samples will be reviewed by a Consultant Microbiologist and referred to the Toxoplasma Reference Unit, Swansea for confirmatory testing.

Additional Information:

Background:  Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, is a significant pathogen among humans. The parasite, whose primary host is the Felidae, is scattered in nature and invades all orders of mammals. Toxoplasmosis is usually benign or asymptomatic, but can have severe consequences if it occurs in immunodeficient subjects or foetuses . Congenital toxoplasmosis connected with maternal contamination prior to conception is exceptional and most often occurs in immunocompromised women.

VIDAS TOXO Competition is a screening test designed to assess the immunity status of patients. If the test is positive, seroconversion or acquired immunity should be determined using specific tests for the detection of IgG and IgM.