Antibodies to Toxoplasma igg are positive. Toxoplasmosis IgG is positive, what does this mean? What are the symptoms and signs of toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasma - igg antibodies detected, what does this mean? According to statistics, every third person on the planet is infected with toxoplasma. Usually the carrier is not even aware of his disease, no symptoms appear. Because of this, diagnosis and treatment of the disease is very difficult, and very little attention is paid to the disease itself. Although some cases resulted in death or serious complications.

In case of toxoplasmosis, the detection of IgG antibodies on the 3rd day after blood infection is considered normal. IgM antibodies will be detected immediately, but they are not intended to protect against re-infection, so the body stops producing them approximately 2 weeks (maximum - a month) after infection.

First, some of the most useful tests are serological and immunological. They rely on the body producing anti-bodies when the immune system detects and responds to an infection. Special tests are carried out to help determine the presence or absence of two immunoglobulins - IgG and IgM. Thanks to this technique, it is possible not only to determine whether antibodies to toxoplasmosis are present in the human body, but also to determine in time the onset of the acute stage of the disease. With this test, the norm is a negative result for immunoglobulin IgM and the presence of immunoglobulin IgG.

Thirdly, instrumental techniques are used. But they will only help in controversial cases, as well as when the patient has serious complications. In this case, a computer examination, ultrasound, etc. are prescribed.

A biological sample is also taken. It can also show whether antibodies to toxoplasmosis are present in the human body. The immunoglobulin of the IgG class is mainly studied. First, a special allergenic drug is injected under the skin. A positive answer will be if swelling appears, but the body’s reaction must be observed for 2 days.

Usually, during studies of immunoglobulin Igg in the human body with toxoplasmosis, they do not pay attention to quantitative indicators. The norm in the blood is either the presence or absence of this component. Typically, only a negative result is noted in the analysis data or marked “positive”.

However, in some rare cases, at the direction of the doctor, quantitative analysis begins. It is quite difficult to provide standards for this indicator due to the fact that each laboratory has its own criteria. These differences are explained by the use of different reagents during research. The following indicators can be analyzed. The norm for IgG is all levels that are below 700 mg per dl. A positive result will be when the indicator is in the range from 700 to 1600 mg. In other words, it is from 7 to 16 g/l. Results in which the indicators were below this level are considered negative.

You can use other parameters for analysis. For example, if the indicator is above 12 U/ml, then the result is considered positive. If the parameter does not exceed 9 U/ml, then a negative result is indicated. However, such indicators are very doubtful, so additional studies will have to be conducted to confirm.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is almost always used to identify toxoplasmosis. This method helps to identify the fact of infection and establish the phase of development of the disease. During the study, attention is paid to indicators such as immunoglobulin IgM. It is important to pay attention when conducting research and testing for IgG immunoglobulin. A positive or negative result will be detected depending on the ratio of these parameters. If the medical form states the following: “toxoplasmosis: normal in the blood,” this means that the patient does not have an acute phase of the disease. During pregnancy, the decoding will be standard, so it does not have any special features.

When immunoglobulins IgM and Ig G to Toxoplasma are absent, this means that more attention needs to be paid to preventive measures. Such results indicate that there are no antibodies against Toxoplasma in the human body at all.

When Toxoplasma previously entered the body, IgG will be present, but the second immunoglobulin, on the contrary, will be absent. The infection is quite old, so now it is not at all dangerous for humans. In addition, he now has protection against infection.

IgM will be present and IgG will be absent in the case where only a primary infection has occurred and toxoplasmosis begins to develop. In this case, IgG is definitely absent. This option is considered the most dangerous for the human body. Usually, when Toxoplasma enters the body, IgG becomes like this only after about 5 days. When both immunoglobulins (including IgG) are present, this situation is also unfavorable. In this case, these parameters will indicate an infection that occurred approximately more than a month ago.

To make it easier to remember, when IgM is set with a “+” sign, and the second immunoglobulin can be with both “+” and “-”, then this is the most dangerous situation for the human body, because infection occurred for 5 days or more (up to a month). It is very important to pay attention to the IgM parameter.

Therapeutic actions

When a person has a weak immune system, he is prescribed various medications that will help relieve the symptoms of the disease. For example, Delagil, Spiramycin, Calcium Folinate, Doxycycline, Trichopolum, Prednisolone, Tetracycline, Fansidar and others are suitable. But these drugs are contraindicated for pregnant women.

During pregnancy, tests are interpreted in the same way as described earlier. If the tests yielded results that indicate the development of an acute form of the disease, then it is necessary to use one of 2 special therapies. Firstly, Rovamycin is prescribed with different courses of treatment. Secondly, you can use a special complex of the drugs Sulfodaxin and Pyrimethamine. The course of treatment and dosage in this case is selected by the doctor individually for each patient. This course can be started no earlier than the 20th week of pregnancy. If a woman has an uncomplicated form, Spiramycin is prescribed. For eye inflammation, your doctor may prescribe Prednisolone. But these medications cannot be used independently.

Toxoplasmosis is a serious disease that needs to be treated in the early stages, and it is better to simply prevent it. When tests are carried out and antibodies of both the IgG and IgM classes are detected, this indicates that the infection occurred about a month ago. This is a very difficult situation that requires immediate treatment. If only IgG immunoglobulins are detected, this indicates that the infection passed a very long time ago, so that the person’s health is not in danger. In addition, this situation still has a positive character, because Now the person has developed immunity to toxoplasma.

Toxoplasmosis igg: negative, positive, PCR, analysis, antibodies, transcript

The highest number of patients with toxoplasmosis is registered in Africa, South and Latin America. In North America and Europe, this figure is 25-50% of the population. In Russia, toxoplasmosis occurs in 20% of the population. Toxoplasmosis is more common in regions with warmer climates. There is also evidence of more frequent infection in females.

It has a complex life cycle with changes in hosts. According to some data, many birds and mammals can act as intermediate hosts. The main host of Toxoplasma gondii is the cat. It is known that approximately 10% of all cats are infected with Toxoplasma. A characteristic feature is that Toxoplasma gondii in the cat’s body multiplies in the epithelial cells of the small intestine. Together with feces, the cat spreads toxoplasma everywhere.

Toxoplasma gondii is characterized by three forms of existence:

1. Endosites;
2. Pseudocysts;
3. Cysts and oocysts.

Endosites are the least stable and can remain unchanged in the environment for several hours. Oocysts have the highest resistance. The norm for their existence is 1-2 years. However, in order for oocysts to become capable of infection, they must undergo the process of sporulation - maturation outside the body.

The speed of this process depends on temperature. Oocysts are functionally active within the temperature range from +4°C to +37°C. At +4°C, oocysts mature in 2-3 days. Raising the temperature to 11°C prolongs sporulation to 5-8 days. The longest period (14-21 days) of sporulation occurs at +15°C. In addition, the viability of oocysts depends on air humidity. Increasing the humidity level contributes to their high viability.

The ability of cysts to have prolonged viability outside the body increases the likelihood of infection with toxoplasmosis through the consumption of poorly fried meat, unboiled milk, and not thoroughly washed vegetables and fruits. In addition, infection is possible through direct contact with the cat. A person can only be contagious through blood during organ transplantation or congenitally, that is, in utero.

If a person’s immune system is competent, in 80% of cases of toxoplasmosis there are no symptoms of the disease, since a healthy body copes with this disease without any problems. With reduced immunoreactivity, the symptoms of toxoplasmosis are similar to those of various colds. Overcoming the low-grade temperature barrier, enlarged lymph nodes, increased weakness and muscle pain are observed. As with a cold, relief occurs after 7 days.

In severe cases of the disease, which is possible in people with immunodeficiency, infection with toxoplasmosis can lead to encephalitis or meningoencephalitis, accompanied by severe headaches, seizures, and fainting. Primary infection with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy threatens numerous congenital anomalies in the fetus.

Doctors often insist on terminating pregnancy in women after identifying this disease. Therefore, congenital toxoplasmosis deserves special attention. Testing for toxoplasmosis is the norm when planning and at the earliest possible stages of pregnancy. Toxoplasmosis is diagnosed in a complex of reproductively significant infections, called the TORCH complex, which will also identify teratogenic infections such as rubella and cytomegalovirus.

Who is more susceptible to the disease?

Congenital transmission of Toxoplasma gondii causes serious consequences. Infection in early pregnancy threatens apoptosis of placental cells and fetal resorption. The likelihood of infection with Toxoplasma gondii is highest at the end of pregnancy. The risk of contracting toxoplasmosis increases with gestational age and is 10-25% in the first trimester, 30-50% in the second trimester, and 60-90% in the third trimester.

There is an assumption that this trend is associated with an increase in the mass of the placenta. During pregnancy, under the influence of female hormones, the activity of the immune system decreases in order to protect the fetus as a foreign object from the mother's immune cells. This leads to increased susceptibility to infection and a poor prognosis for the development of toxoplasmosis. Susceptibility to toxoplasmosis is also due to hormonal changes.

The second and third trimesters of pregnancy are characterized by a significant increase in the levels of 17?-estradiol and progesterone, and this coincides with an increase in the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women. It has been experimentally proven that the administration of pharmacological doses of estrogens increases susceptibility to toxoplasmosis. And progesterone levels decrease in pregnant women if they are infected with Toxoplasma gondii.

Pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis

The pathogenetic picture is as follows. Inflammatory granulomas are observed in areas affected by Toxoplasma. Progressive toxoplasmosis leads to the formation of necrotic areas, in place of which calcifications subsequently form. The severity of the damage is proportional to the functionality of the affected organ.

Diagnosis of the disease

To diagnose toxoplasmosis in a person, blood is examined. Today, two main laboratory methods are successfully used:

• enzyme immunoassay (ELISA);
• polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

The use of two methods is more informative and allows you to get a complete picture of the presence and course of the disease.

The ELISA method can determine the presence or absence of antibodies to toxoplasmosis in the blood. To do this, determine the avidity of immunoglobulins: lgg, igm. Avidity characterizes the strength of binding of an antibody to an antigen. At the onset of the disease, immunoglobulin avidity is low and increases as the disease progresses. PCR gives a positive or negative result.

PCR is highly sensitive and allows you to determine even very low DNA content of the pathogen. The essence of the PCR method is to detect infectious agent DNA in biological fluids such as blood, sputum, saliva, urine, amniotic fluid. In the case of toxoplasmosis, blood from a vein and urine are often used. The only disadvantage of the PCR method is the high cost and difficulty in maintaining the necessary equipment. In this regard, PCR is prescribed, if necessary, after testing for toxoplasmosis igg using the ELISA method.

Explanation of the test for toxoplasmosis

The detection of immunoglobulins of various classes depends on the stage of the disease. lgg is used as an indicator of the chronic phase of the disease, and igm - the acute phase. lgg begins to be produced several days later compared to igm, and the amount of lgg reaches its maximum values ​​a month after the onset of the disease. Unlike igm, lgg remains in the blood and provides specific immunity for life. Based on this, there are four possible test results for toxoplasmosis in the blood.

1. Negative igm against the background of positive lgg – this is the norm and indicates the presence of developed immunity to toxoplasma. According to statistics, about 65% of the population has stable immunity to this pathogen. No further PCR analysis is required.
2. Positive igm against the background of negative lgg - indicates primary infection with toxoplasmosis. It is necessary to conduct a PCR test to identify the pathogen and, after 2 weeks, re-donate blood for an IgG analysis using the ELISA method. If the pathogen is present at this time, this indicator should already be positive. There are also cases when a repeated analysis for IgG remains negative and Toxoplasma DNA is not detected by PCR. In such cases, the result is recognized as the norm and classified as false positive.
3. Positive both igm and lgg indicates primary infection. igm can be positive up to 2 years after infection.
4. Negative both igm and lgg – this is the norm, that is, a sign of the absence of the disease, but also of immunity to it. During such an analysis, pregnant women are recommended to be observed in a clinic and undergo tests at certain intervals to detect igm and Toxoplasma DNA.

Prevention of toxoplasmosis

There are no specific measures to prevent toxoplasmosis. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to adhere to generally accepted hygiene standards. These include: heat treatment of animal products and thorough washing of plant products, mandatory hand washing after contact with animals, excavation work and playing in the sandbox for children, reducing the number of stray cats, treatment and compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards when keeping domestic cats.

In the early stages of pregnancy, every woman should be screened for toxoplasmosis. If antibodies to toxoplasmosis of the igm class are detected in a pregnant woman, the necessary treatment is carried out or, in extreme cases, after additional research, termination of pregnancy.

Conclusion

Thus, toxoplasmosis is one of those diseases whose onset in most cases goes unnoticed. As a result, immunity to this disease is formed. However, the consequences of Toxoplasma infection are far from harmless in the case of a decrease in the protective immune properties of the body. Individuals suffering from immunodeficiency should be included in a special group.

Infection with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy is most dangerous, since it can lead either to termination of pregnancy if infected in the early stages, or to the development of various pathologies in the child in case of later infection of the mother. This does not exclude the possibility of the birth of healthy children in mothers with toxoplasmosis with timely treatment, which should be prescribed on the basis of high-level diagnostic methods, such as ELISA and PCR. However, the most effective method of combating this disease is its prevention.

Source

Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasmosis in humans: symptoms, routes of infection, diagnosis and treatment

Routes of infection

Symptoms of the disease

A final diagnosis can be made only after laboratory tests. If Toxoplasma gondii antibodies are detected in the blood serum, then we can say that the person is definitely sick. The danger of the disease is that it is often asymptomatic. Therefore, people simply do not know that they may have toxoplasmosis. Symptoms may appear in humans only in rare cases. As a rule, this happens to those people whose body is weakened by another disease.

So, you can suspect something is wrong if:

The axillary lymph nodes are enlarged, they can be palpated - they resemble round dense formations;

The temperature rises - it, as a rule, is subfebrile, but sometimes it can reach 39 degrees;

Pain is felt in the area of ​​the right hypochondrium, and the examination reveals that the size of the liver and spleen is increased.

The disease may be accompanied by weakness and muscle pain. But in most cases, the disease does not manifest itself in any way; its acute phase passes asymptomatically within a couple of weeks.

Types of toxoplasmosis

Doctors distinguish several types of the disease. Thus, as a result of the examination, a specialist can diagnose congenital, ocular, common, cerebral, acute toxoplasmosis; the disease also affects the central nervous system. Each subtype of the disease has its own symptoms. Knowing them, the doctor may suspect one or another toxoplasmosis. Symptoms in a person, say, with a cerebral type of disease, may be as follows:

Headaches, weakness;

Loss of sensation in certain areas of the body;

Pins and needles sensation;

Paralysis.

Sometimes, with toxoplasmosis of the brain, a person can fall into a coma. The development of this type of pathology is possible in persons with weakened immune systems; it is diagnosed, as a rule, in patients with AIDS, in cancer patients after chemotherapy and in other diseases.

In some cases, ocular toxoplasmosis is diagnosed. Photos of people suffering from such problems do not allow us to identify this disease. It manifests itself as pain and a feeling of “fog” in the eyes, decreased visual acuity, and sensations of flashes. Sometimes the infection can lead to complete loss of vision. Most often, eye damage is a manifestation of the congenital form of this disease.

People whose immune systems are weakened by chemotherapy or AIDS may develop widespread toxoplasmosis. Symptoms in a person immediately make themselves felt. Indeed, with this form of the disease, the heart muscle and lungs are affected. Vital organs become inflamed and may stop functioning. This may even eventually cause death.

Problems during pregnancy

Gynecologists recommend that all expectant mothers check whether they have a disease such as toxoplasmosis. Symptoms in humans, as a rule, are not pronounced, so a pregnant woman may not even know that she has become infected. Of course, if the expectant mother was ill before the baby was conceived, then the disease no longer poses a danger to the fetus. And infection during pregnancy can lead to dire consequences. Infection in the first trimester is considered the most dangerous.

Thus, infection with toxoplasmosis can cause miscarriage or death of the fetus in the uterus. In addition, babies infected in the womb may die soon after birth. If the child was able to survive, then toxoplasmosis could cause irreparable damage to his health. Photos of such children are different, because the disease causes a number of congenital deformities. Thus, the consequences of intrauterine infection include:

Inflammation of the retina and small vessels inside – chorioretinitis (can cause blindness);

Deafness;

Enlarged size of the spleen and liver;

Red, nodular rash on the body;

Jaundice, in which the color of the sclera of the eyes, mucous membranes and skin of the baby change;

Disproportional sizes of a newborn’s head: it may be too small or, conversely, large;

Delayed development of the baby.

Course of the disease in adults

If a person with normal immunity becomes infected with toxoplasmosis, then the disease most likely will not manifest itself in any way. He may feel some weakness for several days, and the temperature may rise to low-grade levels. But such a condition is unlikely to give anyone the idea that it is necessary to get tested for toxoplasmosis.

If a woman became infected before pregnancy, then the baby is no longer in danger. Special tests will help you find out the approximate period of infection. To do this, when testing your blood, your doctor may recommend taking several titers. For example, IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma indicate that the infection has been suffered for a long time, and immunity to it has been developed. But the IgM titer indicates that the disease appeared in the body recently. So, these antibodies appear approximately 2 weeks after infection and gradually decrease over three months to normal values.

The body's natural struggle

That is, the presence of these immunoglobulins only indicates that there was once an infection in the body, but at the moment there is immunity to it. In principle, this is the answer to the question of what Toxoplasma gondii means in tests. Even if they are discovered during pregnancy, there is no point in panicking. On the contrary, the presence of IgG antibodies and the absence of IgM indicates that the infection occurred a long time ago, and the expectant mother has developed immunity. This means that she will not be able to become infected again while carrying a baby. Therefore, the child in such a situation is not in danger.

Diagnosis of the disease

It is possible to determine whether there is anti Toxoplasma gondii in the body by examining venous blood. This serological method is based on the fact that the presence of antibodies to infection is determined in the serum. For a comprehensive diagnosis, it is better to check all immunoglobulins for the specified disease. For example, the absence of Toxoplasma gondii IgG does not mean that a person is absolutely healthy. These antibodies are not produced immediately. In this case, it is important to determine whether the IgM titer is elevated. If this figure is too high, then the infection occurred just a few weeks ago. No more than 3 months have passed since the first contact with the infection. But if it is within normal limits, in combination with normal IgG levels, then the person, most likely, has never had toxoplasmosis.

Infection within the last 12 months may be indicated by the fact that class G antibodies to Toxoplasma are present in the blood serum in combination with IgM titers. But sometimes even this information is not enough. It is important for doctors to determine how strongly antibodies can bind to antigens. The earlier the body encounters an infection, the higher this ability will be. Experts call these properties of binding to antigens avidity to Toxoplasma.

At the same time, it is difficult to say what exactly the level of antibodies should be, because different laboratories have established their own normal values. They are always displayed in research results. Only a doctor should evaluate the results of the analysis, who will not only know how much the data obtained differ from the norm, but also understand what IgG and IgM titers mean.

It is also important to be able to interpret Toxoplasma avidity during pregnancy. If it is high and is more than 40% by the end of the first trimester, then infection of the expectant mother during pregnancy can be excluded. But even low avidity does not mean that the infection occurred recently. In this case, it is recommended to retake the test in a couple of weeks to determine how the indicators have changed. Based on these dynamics, it will be possible to draw certain conclusions about the duration of infection.

Pregnancy studies

To exclude the possibility of intrauterine infection of the baby, it is necessary to examine expectant mothers. This is usually done at the end of the first trimester. This period was not chosen by chance, because infection is considered the most dangerous in the first three months. Even if the expectant mother becomes infected at a later date, it will no longer be so dangerous for the health of her baby.

But even if it was determined that a pregnant woman in the acute phase of toxoplasma, antibodies were found in the blood serum, this does not mean that she must have an abortion. Although in the first trimester, doctors, as a rule, insist on this procedure.

In addition to antibodies, avidity is determined. If all the results are disappointing, and everything indicates that the infection occurred after the baby was conceived, then it makes sense to examine the amniotic fluid.

Quite rarely, in some forms of the disease, experts recommend, in addition to blood tests, other studies. They are needed for accurate diagnosis of a type of disease such as toxoplasma. Antibodies can be detected in any of its types.

The extent of infection in the body can be assessed using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. These studies can identify foci of inflammation in the brain if there is a suspicion that the infection has affected this particular organ.

Quite rarely, a biopsy is used to make an accurate diagnosis. This is an analysis in which a section of diseased tissue is taken and examined in detail under a microscope.

Disease prevention

Despite the fact that this disease is not scary for people with normal immunity, it is important to know how to protect yourself from it. You need to remember about prevention so that you never know how toxoplasmosis manifests itself. A person's symptoms may be vague, but in rare cases the disease can lead to serious consequences.

If you have cats at home, make sure that they do not touch your food or walk on the tables. Indeed, in this case, it cannot be ruled out that microorganisms from the animal’s anal area will get into your food.

Many people consider it completely unnecessary to wash vegetables, fruits, berries and herbs. In most cases, people rinse food purchased at the market, but happy owners of their garden plots prefer to eat fruits directly from the garden bed or tree. But it cannot be ruled out that they could have been infected by birds or rodents.

Also, do not forget that toxoplasmosis can be contracted through unprotected sexual intercourse. Therefore, it is preferable to use barrier methods of contraception during pregnancy. Both male and female condoms are suitable for this.

Treatment

Speaking about the need for therapy, many people forget that in most cases it is only possible to detect the Toxoplasma gondii IgG titer (positive). This means that the disease passed unnoticed by the person himself. And only as a result of research it was possible to reveal that the patient had already recovered from the disease and had developed immunity. There is no need to treat detected IgG antibodies. Many people mistakenly believe that if a doctor does not prescribe drugs when these immunoglobulins are detected, then he simply does not want to deal with them. This is a completely wrong point of view. Such results are only evidence that the body has already overcome the infection and should not become infected again.

The need for treatment arises only in some cases when elevated levels of IgM antibodies are detected. Thus, therapy becomes mandatory for people with weakened immune systems. After all, the body is not able to produce sufficient antibodies to fight pathogens. Also, to prevent infection of the fetus, pregnant women who have been diagnosed with an acute form of the disease are also treated. Particular attention is paid to babies who became infected in utero. Doctors are doing everything possible to prevent the development of complications in babies.

But before prescribing treatment, it is important to clarify which antibodies have been identified. Therapy is necessary only in cases where elevated IgM titers are detected, and this is reflected in the person’s well-being. Therapy is carried out using several antibacterial agents, selecting the most optimal treatment regimen.

If the disease has become chronic, then medications do not have the desired effect. In such situations, drug treatment is usually aimed at strengthening the immune system.

To neutralize the acute phase, a drug such as Pyrimethamine is used (it is also sold under the name Daraprim). It must be taken in a course selected by a doctor. A specialist may recommend taking the tablets for 4 weeks continuously or taking several approaches for 10 days. This drug is prescribed in combination with a drug such as Sulfadiazine. As a rule, for adults it is recommended to take Pyrimethamine at a dosage of 25 mg, and Sulfadiazine - 1 g 2 times a day.

In addition to these drugs, the drug Clindamycin may be prescribed. It is accepted in addition to those indicated above.

Pregnant women who become infected after conception are prescribed the drug Spiramycin. The action of this drug is aimed at reducing the risk of vertical transmission of infection - from a sick mother to the fetus.

Eye lesions that occur due to intrauterine infection of the baby must be treated with glucocorticosteroids. For this, the drug “Prednisolone” can be used. It alleviates the condition of chorioretinitis.

If Toxoplasma gondii IgG is positive, then there is no point in treating the disease. Therapy should be aimed at alleviating the patient's condition. But this is also necessary if the disease has caused any damage to the nervous system, brain, eyes, heart, lungs or other organs.

Specifics of helminthiasis in expectant mothers

How can you prevent toxoplasmosis during pregnancy? The only option is to strictly follow the rules of personal hygiene and timely (even before the moment of conception) take the appropriate test for the TORCH complex. If the result of such a study is positive (that is, there are no igg, igm, lgg antibodies in the patient’s blood), the woman is given antihelminthic therapy, and pregnancy is postponed until complete recovery.

Unfortunately, when an expectant mother is infected with Toxoplasma in the first trimester of pregnancy, the fetus may develop defects that are incompatible with life (which is why, when the disease is diagnosed before 24 weeks, the patient is advised to have an abortion).

• provoke pathologies of the nervous system in a girl or boy;
• cause muscular dystrophy of the fetus;
• influence the formation of the eyeball and visual function in the baby.

Moreover, the child will be born already infected with toxoplasma (carrier) - this can cause irreversible consequences for his health.

If chronic toxoplasmosis during pregnancy (a woman is a carrier of helminths) manifests itself in the last trimester, then its symptoms will not affect the development of the baby in any way.

Clinical picture of the disease

Typical signs of toxoplasmosis in the fetus:

• the spleen and liver are enlarged;
• intracranial calcifications appear;
• the ventricles of the brain are significantly expanded;
• the placenta is thickened.

Toxoplasmosis in an expectant mother may be asymptomatic, or may be accompanied by manifestations characteristic of helminthiasis (the clinical picture of the disease depends on its stage and form):

• headache;
• neurological disorders;
• functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

What is the main danger of helminthiasis?

Many expectant mothers want to get an answer in advance to the question: is toxoplasmosis dangerous during pregnancy? This disease, according to the medical forum, is completely safe for those women who have already had toxoplasmosis (they have specific antibodies in their blood - igg, igm), accordingly, they have developed immunity.

If the expectant mother has not previously encountered a similar disease, “neighborhood” with toxoplasma during pregnancy can be fatal for the development of her fetus.

There is a certain pattern associated with the risk of fetal infection with toxoplasmosis and the severity of the disease during pregnancy:

• the likelihood that toxoplasma will enter the baby’s body increases with each trimester - 15, 30 and 60, respectively;
• The nature of the course of the disease becomes easier as the period progresses.

The following serological test results are considered normal:

• positive test for igg antibodies - such immunoglobulins are present in the patient’s blood, their indicators are stable;
• negative test for antibodies of the igm class.

If, during a serological blood test, only antibodies are detected in a pregnant woman - immunoglobulins of the igm class, this means that Toxoplasma entered the woman’s body very recently (“fresh” infection).

It happens that during the examination for the presence of toxoplasma, antibodies of the igg and igm classes are not detected at all (the test for immunoglobulins gave a negative result) - such a patient should take all precautions during pregnancy, because her body has not developed immunity to toxoplasmosis.

Based on the diagnostic measures carried out, the specialist prescribes drug treatment for toxoplasmosis for the expectant mother. Its specifics will be discussed below.

How is helminthiasis treated?

The main treatment for the acute form of the disease in pregnant women is:

• pyrimethamine;
• spiramycin;
• sulfonamide drugs.

Another effective drug used to treat toxoplasmosis in pregnant women is Fansidar. It is usually combined with immunomodulatory drugs, since it inhibits the hematopoietic function in a woman’s body.

Prevention

For those who have never had toxoplasmosis, in order to avoid infection with worms, the medical forum advises following these simple recommendations:

• do not eat unheated meat or fish;
• do not taste raw minced meat while preparing meat dishes;
• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly (especially before eating and after contact with animals);
• Carry out preventive antihelminthic treatment for pets (at least twice a year).

For those expectant mothers who have not had toxoplasmosis, the disease poses a serious danger - expert reviews indicate that in the early stages of pregnancy this disease can provoke a miscarriage, and in the 2nd and 3rd trimester it can cause irreversible pathologies in the intrauterine development of a girl or boy.

Women often ask the question, why is it necessary to donate blood for antibodies to toxoplasma?

There are several indications:

• pregnancy planning;
• screening examination during the period of gestation;
• weak immunity or HIV infection;
• changes in the size of lymph nodes during pregnancy;
• suspected intrauterine infection of the fetus.

When planning a pregnancy, take a blood test for antibodies to toxoplasma

It is best to conduct screening for toxoplasmosis before planning pregnancy. The disease can be cured and protect the unborn child from infection.

Types of tests for toxoplasmosis

Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis includes several research methods.

Most accurate:

• enzyme immunoassay (ELISA);
• polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

At the beginning of the study of biological material, ELISA is used. It is used to determine the presence of immunoglobulins in the blood - special proteins that the body produces in order to utilize Toxoplasma. Using the necessary reagents, antibodies of groups G, M and A (IgG, IgM, IgA) are calculated.

The polymerase chain reaction method is very accurate. Thanks to this method, it is possible to confirm or refute the results of ELISA.

When any harmful virus enters the body, the defense system begins to produce antibodies to it - immunoglobulins, which protect internal organs from foreign penetration. Let's look at each of them in more detail.

Table with the main classes of immunoglobulins

Group M immunoglobulins

The presence of IgM in the blood indicates the development of the acute stage of toxoplasmosis.

Antibodies class G

Anti toxoplasma gondii igg is an indicator of exposure to Toxoplasma. IgG immunoglobulins begin to appear in the blood several days later than IgM. The amount of toxoplasma gondii igg reaches its maximum value closer to a month after infection and mainly as the disease progresses.

So what's the difference? Antibodies of class G differ from class M in that IgG does not disappear from the body, but remains in it for a long period (mostly for life). In this way, immunity to toxoplasmosis is formed.

During the study, great attention is paid to the IgG avidity index. It shows the level of adhesion of antibodies to antigens for further destruction of the latter. In the initial stage of the disease, this marker is low, that is, immunoglobulins weakly bind to Toxoplasma to eliminate it. Over time, immunity to the disease strengthens and avidity increases.

What does the presence of IgA in the blood indicate?

Class A antibodies appear several weeks (2–3) after Toxoplasma enters the body. The amount of such immunoglobulin indicates the intensity of the development of the disease. A low level of IgA indicates a latent and asymptomatic course of taxoplasmosis, and an increase in titer indicates activation of the process.

High levels of IgA signal activation of the disease process

There are cases when tests do not show the presence of IgA. Therefore, the reliability of the studies depends on immunoglobulins M and G.

Decoding indicators

A blood test for antibodies to Toxoplasma is done using an enzyme immunoassay. It has certain indicators - threshold or reference values. Each laboratory has its own forms, which indicate the norm of immunoglobulins. What does it mean? If the value of the obtained markers is below the threshold titer, the test result is considered negative, and when higher, it is considered positive.

Decoding according to IgM - IgG indicators

A blood test for antibodies to toxoplasma has several meanings.

1. If the study shows that IgG is elevated and IgM is absent, we are talking about persistent and lifelong immunity to toxoplasmosis.
2. The presence of class M antibodies in large quantities without group G proteins is characteristic of an acute infection that has entered the human body for the first time.
3. If both indicators are elevated in the test results, there is a high probability of primary infection with toxoplasmosis.

At the same time, it must be remembered that IgM can remain in the body for a long time (up to 2 years). Therefore, if IgM and IgG are simultaneously detected in the blood above normal, it is recommended to conduct PCR. This will make it possible to confirm or refute the presence of Toxoplasma DNA in the blood.

Explanation of avidity values

The results of determining avidity can have the following indicators:

• low-avidity – the infection is in an acute form;
• transitional – an erroneous value that requires re-submission of biological material after 14 days;
• high-avidity – developed immunity to toxoplasmosis, no threat to health.

What to do if IgM is positive?

Paired values ​​of IgM and IgG

If a pregnant woman managed to get sick with toxoplasmosis several months before conception, then the unborn child is not in danger, since the body already has the corresponding antibodies to the infection antigens.

Immunoglobulins protect the human body from harmful microorganisms. Their presence and quantity in the blood helps to accurately determine the level of infection. Thanks to this, specialists are able to select appropriate drugs to treat the disease. If antibodies to toxoplasma have been developed, then re-infection does not threaten either the woman or her child. Immunoglobulins neutralize infection in a short time.

However, this disease is extremely dangerous for pregnant women: if infection with toxoplasmosis occurs during pregnancy, it will lead to serious malformations in the fetus. Because of this, when pregnancy occurs, you must be tested for toxoplasmosis. Let's take a closer look at what positive and negative IgG says as a result of the analysis.

A potential source of toxoplasmosis is cats. You can get infected in any way: through unwashed hands, pets, dirty vegetables, etc. Toxoplasma is quite difficult not to catch, and those who have pets are sick with a 99.9% probability.

If a woman becomes ill with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, this can negatively affect the fetus. In addition to the fact that the baby is born with developmental pathologies, deaths have occurred.

The body reacts to it as to a normal infection: the temperature rises, a general deterioration in health is observed, lymph nodes may enlarge, and fever is observed.

Typically, all these symptoms disappear within a week with symptomatic treatment, and then after a few months the person acquires stable immunity for life. With long-term toxoplasmosis, a decrease in immunity is observed, which is manifested by frequent illnesses, anemia, hair loss, brittle nails, etc.

The presence of toxoplasmosis is determined by the number of antibodies that the body produces to fight the disease:

• IgM are early antibodies that last for about a year after infection.
• IgG are permanent bodies that remain for life.

When present, immunity is developed and strengthened. In addition, during pregnancy the fetus will be protected and toxoplasma will not penetrate the placenta and will not be able to harm the unborn baby.

Blood for analysis is taken from the cubital vein in the laboratory. A flagellum is placed on the patient's shoulder, then the required amount of biomaterial is drawn from a vein with a needle to determine toxoplasma in the body.

The advantage of the procedure is that it is completely painless and inexpensive. As a rule, such an analysis is done during pregnancy.

Analysis transcript

It is recommended to take a test for the detection of toxoplasma when planning pregnancy in order to detect the presence of antibodies. If infection has already occurred, the woman acquires natural immunity, and the likelihood of danger to the fetus is reduced.

If there was no infection, the woman will be at risk, and it will be necessary to carry out repeated tests several times for control. The most common method for detecting toxoplasmosis is ELISA, which allows you to determine IgG - G-class antibodies in the plasma, with which the body fights toxoplasmosis.

If tests for toxoplasmosis are positive for IgG, additional IgM and IgA samples will be taken to check how active the infection is.

Read: Toxoplasmosis: description and norm of antibodies in the disease

Useful video about toxoplasmosis:

When should toxoplasmosis be treated?

Not every case requires treatment for toxoplasmosis. Even if an infection has been detected, it does not always indicate a real threat. False-positive reactions during tests and individual reactions to research methods are possible.

If primary infection is confirmed during pregnancy, the following options are possible:

If infection is detected during pregnancy, treatment is prescribed only for a period of at least 12-16 weeks. If ultrasound reveals any abnormalities, they can be corrected with the help of special drugs and techniques, and in the future, manifestations of neonatal toxoplasmosis are still possible.

Possible consequences of fetal infection

Damage to the brain can lead to various negative consequences, but the classic three are chorioretinitis (damage to the uvea of ​​the eyes), hydrocephalus (dropsy of the brain) and the formation of intracranial calcifications.

Ultrasound reveals damage to the liver and spleen, enlargement of the ventricles of the brain and other pathologies that are often incompatible with life. In addition, calcifications can be detected in the placenta, it becomes thickened, this is one of the characteristic symptoms of toxoplasmosis.

Clinical signs of toxoplasmosis in newborns are the appearance of a rash, convulsions, jaundice, thrombocytopenia, the liver and spleen will be enlarged.

In the future, toxoplasmosis can cause severe mental retardation, which will lead to disability for life. Such dire consequences of infection force doctors to play it safe, and often mothers are offered to terminate the pregnancy to avoid additional suffering, even if there is a possibility that the fetus was not infected.

Read: Where does Giardia come from in a child’s feces and what to do?

If an infection is detected in the first trimester, no medication is prescribed and abortion is often the smartest option. To avoid such dire consequences, it is necessary to strictly observe precautions if a woman is at risk.

More information about toxoplasmosis can be found in the video:

Treatment of toxoplasmosis

Only newborn children and pregnant women require treatment. Other patients cope with the disease on their own. Medicines are prescribed by the doctor, depending on the individual patient and the severity of the disease.

The most commonly used drugs are the following:

Patients who have a weakened immune system in a chronic form (HIV, AIDS) with toxoplasmosis are prescribed lifelong treatment with Atovaquone, which constantly kills toxoplasma.

If it turns out that the woman has not yet had toxoplasmosis, strict safety measures must be taken throughout pregnancy. You can clean your pet's litter box only with gloves; you cannot kiss your pets. Cats should not be fed raw meat, and if the animal catches mice, it should not be allowed to bring them into the house. Commercial vaccines for animals are currently being developed, but these drugs are not yet widely used.

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most terrible threats for a pregnant woman, and yet trouble can be prevented if you take care of yourself and your unborn baby in a timely manner. Testing for toxoplasmosis is an obligatory part of pregnancy planning, and after the tests you must strictly follow all doctor’s recommendations. Even if an infection has been detected, proper treatment can save the life and health of the child.

According to statistics, every third resident of Russia is infected with toxoplasmosis. At the same time, carriers of the disease often do not even realize that they are sick, because the infection may not manifest itself at all.

Since in most cases the course of the disease is asymptomatic, insufficient attention is paid to diagnostic and therapeutic methods of treatment. Meanwhile, the infection can lead to dangerous consequences, and sometimes even death.

But what does it mean if Toxoplasma gondii is detected in the blood? What is the norm and deviations of indicators, how do immunoglobulin IgG and IgM contribute to the diagnosis of infection and how can the disease be cured?

The most severe course is congenital toxoplasmosis. Therefore, it is especially important to diagnose this disease before pregnancy.

In general, the symptoms of toxoplasmosis in adults do not manifest themselves in any way. But the disease is most severe in children infected after intrauterine development and in patients with weakened immune systems.

The following forms of toxoplasmosis are distinguished:

1. spicy;
2. congenital;
3. ophthalmic;
4. CNS toxoplasmosis;
5. common.

The main signs of the congenital form of the disease in children include inflammation of the retina and small vessels, deafness, skin rashes, and jaundice.

Also, the child’s head may be disproportionate in size, and some children are lagging behind in psychomotor development.

As with any other infection, the human body reacts to toxoplasma by launching the immune system. As a result, it produces special antibodies, immunoglobulins of the IgM and IgG protein groups.

Having identified a pathogen (antigen), immune cells begin to produce antibodies to Toxoplasma. These helpers are called immunoglobulins of the ig g group. When they find the required antigen, they destroy its structure.

With the development of toxoplasmosis, the norm in the blood of igg to toxoplasma gondii is the detection of the IgG group of immunoglobulins on the third day after infection. Such antibodies persist throughout life, thanks to which the body is protected from reinvasion.

When infected with toxoplasmosis, other types of immunoglobulins of the IgM class also come into play to fight the disease. Igm toxoplasmosis is detected immediately after the pathogen enters the body.

However, IgM does not protect a person from re-infection.

After all, this type of immunoglobulin ceases to be produced after 2-4 weeks after infection.

Methods for diagnosing the disease

Often, to identify toxoplasmosis, an immunological and serological study is carried out, with the help of which antibodies to toxoplasma gondii are detected. Such techniques make it possible to detect not only the presence of antibodies, but also the time of onset of the development of the acute stage of the disease.

Special techniques are also used to identify the causative agent of the disease. For this purpose, microscopy and PCR diagnostics are used.

In addition, instrumental diagnostic methods can be used. However, such studies are carried out only in controversial situations and in cases where patients have serious complications. Along with this, the patient is prescribed an ultrasound and computer examination.

Sometimes a biological test is done to detect toxoplasma infection. It can also be used to find out if the body has class G antibodies to Toxoplasma.

The essence of the procedure is as follows: initially, a special allergen is injected under the skin. If swelling appears after a while, this means that the answer is positive.

However, for maximum reliability of the results, the reaction must be observed for at least 48 hours.

How to decipher the results?

When detecting antibodies to Tocho plasma in blood serum, the results may be different. So, if igg is positive and igm is negative, then this indicates that the person has strong immunity to toxoplasmosis for life.

Similar results can be found in 65% of the adult population. When igm is negative, igg is positive - this is a combination of antibodies in the blood of men, children and women planning pregnancy without carrying out any therapeutic measures.

If igg and toxoplasma antibodies are negative, and igm antibodies to toxoplasma are positive, then this indicates a primary infection with toxoplasmosis. Thus, there is a risk of intrauterine infection.

In this case, you need to donate urine and blood for the DNA of the pathogen for PCR diagnostics. Also, after 14 days, it is necessary to undergo an igg and igm toxoplasmosis test again, in which the igg value should not be positive.

When antibodies like class g to toxoplasma are positive and igm is also positive, then there is a possibility of primary infection. However, you need to know that igm can be positive from 90 days to two years after the illness.

If toxoplasmosis igm is negative, like igg, then this is a normal indicator indicating the absence of infection. It is noteworthy that women with such results, who are pregnant or are just planning a pregnancy, are in the risk category. Therefore, they need to be examined every trimester.

For this purpose, tests can be repeated at 22-24 weeks and immediately before birth. If seroconversion occurs, amniocentesis and PCR are performed to detect infection, and then therapy is carried out for the infected mother and child.

If igm is detected in the blood of a newborn above normal, the diagnosis can be confirmed, but only if a high level of this group of antibodies was also detected in the mother’s blood. In latent and chronic forms of infection in newborns, when the infection occurred in the first or second trimester of pregnancy, anti toxoplasma gondii igm may not be detected.

In this situation, infection is indicated by the dynamics of igg. But for reliability, it is necessary to study the igg indicators of the mother.

A newborn with lgg constantly becomes higher. In the absence of the disease, igg antibodies were not detected in the child's blood when the mother is seronegative, or their level decreases (elimination of maternal antibodies).

In the video in this article, experts will talk about the symptoms and treatment of toxoplasmosis.

To determine whether there is an infection in the body, a blood test is done for antibodies. This examination is carried out to find out whether a person is currently suffering from toxoplasmosis or has had it for a long time. This is especially important for pregnant women - infection of the expectant mother with this infection can be extremely dangerous for the fetus. But should you worry if the test result for class g antibodies to toxoplasma is positive? What role do these antibodies play and how can we understand the test result?

What is the difference between IgG and IgM antibodies?

Antibodies (immunoglobulins) are protein compounds in the blood plasma that are produced when foreign substances enter the body: bacteria, viruses, foreign proteins. There are several classes of antibodies that differ in structure and function. To detect toxoplasmosis or immunity to it, tests are done for IgG and IgM antibodies.

Immunoglobulins G (IgG) are responsible for long-term immunity. Their levels begin to rise some time after the onset of the disease and rise slowly and then fall. After an illness, IgG antibodies remain at a certain low level for several years, and sometimes throughout life.

Immunoglobulins M (IgM) begin to be produced early in the disease, and their levels peak after 1-4 weeks, depending on the disease. After this, their level gradually decreases over several months.

Testing for just one type of antibody is not enough to determine whether a person is sick. Some types of antibodies show that a person once had a disease and is now immune to it.

Decoding the results

If the IgG test for toxoplasmosis is positive, this does not always mean that the person is sick. Many people have had toxoplasmosis in their lives, but in people with normal immunity, the disease is often asymptomatic.

During illness, the level of antibodies G to toxoplasma gondii gradually increases, and decreases during the recovery period. After suffering from toxoplasmosis, small amounts of antibodies to toxoplasma gondii IgG are detected in the blood for several years or even throughout life - this means that immunity has formed. The level of IgM antibodies should drop to zero within a few months after recovery.

The result of the test for Toxoplasma G antibodies should be considered together with the results of the test for IgM antibodies. An acute infection is indicated by the detection of class M immunoglobulins. The table shows possible combinations of results and their meanings.

To accurately confirm the presence of infection, it is necessary to take tests several times. This will help you see how antibody levels change, because, as can be seen from the table, immunoglobulins may not be detected in the very early stages of the disease.

Norms of indicators

Each laboratory has its own reference values, so it is impossible to indicate general standards for antibodies to Toxoplasma IgG. The result of the analysis can be “positive”, “doubtful” or “negative”, and also expressed in specific numbers.

The result can be expressed in IU/ml or IU/ml - international units per milliliter of blood. As a result, there may be a fraction of the form 1:8, 1:200, etc. This means that antibodies to Toxoplasma IgG can be detected if one volume of blood is diluted with the number of volumes of saline solution corresponding to the second digit. Thus, the higher the second number, the higher the content of immunoglobulins.

Diagnostic methods

To determine the level of antibodies to toxoplasmosis, ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) methods are used.

The ELISA method involves using the reaction of an antigen with an antibody. An antigen is any substance that the body considers foreign and dangerous, in this case the causative agent of toxoplasmosis. This method allows you to accurately determine the presence of antibodies and their quantity. There are several varieties of this method, which are used to determine various substances, viruses, etc.

The PCR method allows you to detect certain DNA fragments of the causative agent of the disease. The essence of the method is to artificially copy the desired sections of DNA using enzymes, if such sections are present in the sample. The PCR method is used, for example, to determine whether a fetus is infected with toxoplasmosis gondii. For this purpose, amniotic fluid is analyzed. If the result is negative, the fetus is healthy.

Analysis during pregnancy

Toxoplasmosis gondii is a TORCH infection that can be transmitted from mother to fetus and have a negative impact on the child. The abbreviation “TORCH” denotes infections that have the following properties:

• T - toxoplasmosis,
• O - others,
• R - rubella (rubella),
• C - cytomegalovirus (cytomegalovirus),
• H - herpes simplex virus type 2 (herpes simplex virus-2).

IgG antibodies to toxoplasmosis during pregnancy may mean that the woman currently has toxoplasmosis or has had it before and is immune. To find out, you need to get tested when planning or at the beginning of pregnancy.

As in all other people, the presence of class G antibodies is not enough to determine when infection occurred and whether the disease is currently present. If the test is positive for IgM antibodies, it is necessary to test for their avidity, that is, their ability to bind to the antigen.

Avidity is measured as a percentage. The higher it is, the earlier the infection occurred. With a high avidity value (more than 40%) at 12-14 weeks of pregnancy, infection during pregnancy can be almost completely excluded. If avidity is low, it is recommended to repeat the tests after some time.

Danger to the fetus

Infection of a pregnant woman with toxoplasmosis is dangerous for the fetus. It can lead to miscarriage or fetal death as a result of the development of defects incompatible with life. In newborns, congenital toxoplasmosis can lead to:

• neurodevelopmental disorders;
• serious mental retardation (oligophrenia);
• chorioretinitis (inflammation of the retina and choroid), which threatens blindness;
• deafness;
• large or small head size;
• skin problems;
• enlarged spleen and liver;
• jaundice.

If a woman already has immunity to toxoplasma at the time of pregnancy, then even re-infection is not dangerous for the child.

The time when the infection occurred is important. If this is the first trimester, then the likelihood of infection of the fetus is the lowest (15%), but its consequences can be fatal. Therefore, if infection occurs in the first trimester, it is often recommended to terminate the pregnancy. In the second trimester, the risk of transmitting the infection to the fetus is greater. The greatest risk of transmission of the pathogen is in the third trimester (65%), but the risks to the fetus are lower, in which case congenital toxoplasmosis may manifest itself mildly. Timely treatment significantly reduces the risks for the child.

Routes of infection

Toxoplasma infection can occur in several ways:

• Eating raw and undercooked meat that contains cysts, especially pork, lamb, goat meat, venison, and raw eggs. The pathogen dies when heated to 63 degrees or cooled to -13.
• Eating poorly washed fruits and vegetables that grew on contaminated soil.
• Working in the garden with unprotected hands.
• Lack of hygiene when caring for pets, especially cats. You can become infected if you don't wash your hands after cleaning your cat's litter box.
• During pregnancy from mother to fetus.
• It is possible for a child to become infected during breastfeeding if the mother has an acute form of toxoplasmosis and there are sores and cracks on the nipples. Infection through milk is impossible.
• In rare cases, infection may occur through blood transfusion.

Toxoplasmosis is not transmitted from person to person, since the pathogens are not released into the environment.

Carriers of Toxoplasma are many mammals, both wild and domestic: pigs, goats, sheep, cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, monkeys and others, as well as humans.

Prevention

To prevent toxoplasmosis, it is necessary to identify and treat toxoplasmosis in animals, avoid eating raw and undercooked meat, especially for pregnant women, and follow sanitation rules when caring for animals. Vegetables, fruits and herbs should be washed thoroughly.

When planning pregnancy, it is necessary to be tested for IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. If the result is negative, then tests are taken several times during pregnancy in order to detect infection in time and prescribe treatment.

Detected IgG antibodies do not indicate that a person has toxoplasmosis. The test result should only be considered in conjunction with the IgM antibody test result. It is especially important to detect toxoplasmosis infection in time in pregnant women.