Toxoplasma Antibody, IgM
Label Mnemonic: TOXOM
Epic code: LAB8776
Downtime form: A-1a Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery
Chemistry
6240 RCP
356-3527
Specimen(s):
Plasma
Collection Medium:
Plasma Separator Tube 4.5 mL
Minimum:
3.0 mL whole blood from PST tube or TWO Microtainer devices
Testing Schedule:
24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Turn Around Time:
1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)
Reference Range:
Negative
Interpretive Data:
Negative - Toxoplasma IgM antibodies were not detected. False negatives can occur early in infection or in immunocompromised patients.

Equivocal - Equivocal results: Toxoplasma IgM status not determined. If clinically indicated, obtain an additional specimen within 2-3 weeks.

Positive - Toxoplasma IgM antibodies detected which may indicate a current or recent infection. False positive results can occur. The results of the test must be taken within the context of the patient's clinical history, symptomology, and other laboratory findings.
Comments:
The results of this test should be considered in conjunction with other laboratory test results as well as the clinical presentation of the patient. Samples collected early in the course of the infection may not have detectable levels of toxoplasma IgM. A non-reactive IgM result may be due to delayed seroconversion and does not rule out current infection. In immunocompromised patients, the ability to produce an IgM response may be impaired, and specific IgM may be falsely negative during an active infection. False positive results may occur.

The results of this test should be taken within the context of the patient's clinical history, symptomatology, and other laboratory findings. This testing is not intended for use and screening blood or plasma donors. Performance characteristics have not been established for cord blood testing and neonates or for body fluids other than serum or plasma. Contaminated, icteric, lipemic, hemolyzed, or heat‑inactivated sera may cause erroneous results and should be avoided. Immune complexes or other immunoglobulin aggregates present in patient samples may cause increased non-specific findings and produce false positive results.
Methodology:
Multiplex Flow Immunoassay
CPT Code:
86778