Aqueous Fluid or Vitreous Fluid

Preferred Minimum: 0.1 mL Aqueous Fluid or Vitreous Fluid
Absolute Minimum: 0.05 mL Aqueous Fluid or Vitreous Fluid

Do not add water, saline or other fluid media to container. Do not ship specimen in syringe.

Within 8 - 12 hours upon receipt at reference laboratory

Toxoplasma gondii is highly problematic when primary infection occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy, often leading to fetal death or when reactivation occurs in immunocompromised patients, leading to life-threatening disease including encephalitis and extracerebral toxoplasmosis. Onset of disease in most patients is preceded by an increase in parasite load. Monitoring blood levels of Toxoplasma gondii DNA correlates well with treatment.

The primers and probes used in this assay are specific for known Toxoplasma gondii strains based on similarity search algorithms. Additionally, no cross reactivity was detected with any viral or protozoa pathogens.

Extraction of Toxoplasma gondii DNA from specimen followed by amplification and detection using real-time, quantitative PCR.

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