Toxoplasmosis in the blood: the IgG antibody norm

According to statistics, every third citizen of our country is exposed to toxoplasmosis. Often, the carriers of the disease do not even know about their condition, since the infection may not manifest itself at all - the person does not have any expressed symptoms. Due to the simple, and often asymptomatic transfer of the disease, diagnosis and treatment methods are given insufficient attention. While in some cases, the infection can lead to fatal consequences and serious complications. What does it mean if toxoplasmosis is detected in the blood? The norm and the deviations of the indicators, how immunoglobulins of the IgG and IgM groups contribute to the diagnosis of infection, and how to manage and prevent the disease, is described in this article.

What is toxoplasmosis?

The infectious disease of toxoplasmosis is caused by parasites. The main carriers of pathogens are cats. But the products of livelihoods of animals fall into the soil, from where they can spread to temporary carriers: rodents, goats, cows. With soil, the spores of pathogens can reach vegetables. Thus, a person can get infected through unwashed hands, especially after contact with animals, as well as using insufficiently processed meat and vegetables. When a parasite enters the body, toxoplasmosis develops. The antibody norm assumes in this case the presence of IgM as a result of the immunoglobulin assay.

The reaction of the body to infection with toxoplasmosis

As with any other infection, the human body responds to infection with toxoplasmosis by activating the immune defense forces. Namely - the production of special antibodies, immunoglobulins of the protein groups IgG and IgM.

Having discovered a pathogenic microorganism (antigen), the cells of the immune system begin to produce antibodies that are aimed at eliminating a particular infection. They call such assistants in the fight against the disease "immunoglobulins of the IgG group". Finding a specific antigen, they bind to it, destroying the structure. With the development of such a disease as toxoplasmosis, the norm in the blood of IgG is the detection of this group of immunoglobulins on the third day after infection. They are preserved throughout life, protecting people from secondary infection. Thus, toxoplasmosis can be infected only once, after which a stable immunity to the parasite, the causative agent of the disease, is produced.

When toxoplasmosis is infected, other groups of immunoglobulins, i.e., IgM, are used to help the body fight the disease. Is toxoplasmosis found? The norm of antibodies in this case is the detection of IgM immunoglobulins in the blood immediately after the parasite enters the body. But immunoglobulins of the IgM group can not protect a person from re-infection, since they cease to be produced approximately 2-4 weeks after infection.

Properties of IgG immunoglobulins

It is worthwhile to consider in more detail the functions and properties performed by IgG immunoglobulins in the body when infected with a disease such as toxoplasmosis. Norm IgG - the concept is ambiguous. The presence of immunoglobulins of this group can indicate both acute phase of the disease and a long process. How do antibodies fight the disease? They perform a number of functions that protect the body and adversely affect the viability of the pathogen, namely:

• Neutralize the toxins produced by the parasite;
• Participate in the avidity process (communicate with the pathogen);
• Stimulate phagocytosis;
• Have the property of penetrating the placenta, thereby forming passive immunity in the fetus.

Interesting and important is the fact that it is the IgG immunoglobulin that accounts for 80% of all immunoglobulins in the body. In addition, with chronic forms of infections and autoimmune diseases, the percentage of IgG immunoglobulins increases.

Decoding of immunoglobulin IgG

Usually, the quantitative measurement of immunoglobulins is not done in the analysis for toxoplasmosis. The norm in the blood is the indicator of detection or absence of immunoglobulins. Most often in the results of the analysis, such notations as "positively" or "negatively" are noted. But in some cases, according to the indications, the doctor can appoint a special quantitative analysis. Bring specific standards of IgG immunoglobulin indicators is quite difficult, because each laboratory has its own criteria. Such differences are due to the use of different chemical reagents during the analysis of toxoplasmosis in the blood. The norm varies considerably depending on the laboratory. As an example, the following norms of indicators can be cited:

1. How to decipher the results of the analysis for toxoplasmosis? The IgG score is below 700 mg / dl. A positive result of the assay for measuring the amount of immunoglobulins of the IgG group is values of 700-1600 mg / dl or 7-16 g / l. Indicators below the specified boundaries are considered a negative result.
2. Using other units of measure, such standards of immunoglobulin IgG values are indicated: above 12 U / ml is considered a positive result, below 9 U / ml - negative, the values between these norms are questionable and require additional studies.

Regardless of the way in which indicators of analysis for toxoplasmosis are indicated , the interpretation of the result has the same value. Was a positive result found on toxoplasmosis in the blood? The norm is the presence of IgG antibodies and the absence of IgM. The presence of IgG in the test material indicates that the organism met the causative agent of toxoplasmosis. This means that a person is reliably protected from secondary infection. But at the same time, such results may indicate a primary recent infection. To confirm or refute this assumption, it is necessary to analyze the parameters of IgM immunoglobulins that appear in the body only during the acute phase of the disease. Accordingly, the presence of such antibodies indicates a primary infection and a serious danger to the fetus. In this situation, the doctor diagnoses "toxoplasmosis." The norm in the blood is the absence of antibodies from the IgM group. These indicators indicate a long-term infection and the absence of any danger to the body.

If the results of the analysis indicate the absence of IgG immunoglobulins in the body, special measures should be taken to prevent infection during pregnancy, since such results indicate the absence of protective antibodies from toxoplasmosis.

Methods for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis

There are the following types of diagnosis of toxoplasmosis:

1. Immunological and serological. They are based just on the characteristics of the body to produce antibodies to infection. With the help of special test systems, the presence or absence of immunoglobulins IgG and IgM is determined. Thus, it is possible not only to detect the presence of protective antibodies in the body, but also to diagnose the acute phase of toxoplasmosis in a timely manner. Assigned an analysis for toxoplasmosis in the blood? The norm is the detection of IgG antibodies and the absence of IgM.
2. Methods for direct detection of a parasite - studies using microscopy or PCR diagnostics.
3. Instrumental methods are used only in complicated and controversial cases. Apply ultrasound, computer examination and others.
4. A biological sample can also indicate the presence of an IgG group in the body of immunoglobulins. After subcutaneous administration of a special allergenic drug, the reaction is observed for two days. When there is swelling, a positive result is recorded.

The method of diagnosis of toxoplasmosis ELISA

Most often, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is used to determine toxoplasmosis. This method allows you to determine the prescription of infection, to establish an acute phase of the disease. Identify such indicators can be due to the detection of IgM immunoglobulins. If the form says: "toxoplasmosis: the norm in the blood," the result means that there is no acute phase of the disease.

The decoding is standard and has no special features in the analysis during pregnancy. Let us consider in more detail what the results mean: "acute phase of the disease" and "toxoplasmosis: the norm in the blood". The table below provides an illustration of the indicators and their designation. Namely:

Toxoplasmosis: the norm in the blood during pregnancy

Such a seemingly harmless disease, like toxoplasmosis, can manifest itself as a serious complication in people with weakened immunity. But the disease is especially dangerous for a pregnant woman and her fetus, since the parasite can penetrate the placenta and infect an unborn baby. Unformed immunity of crumbs is not able to resist the causative agent, and in many cases the child dies. It is worth noting that the infection of a pregnant woman in early terms is likely to miscarry, fading, the formation of pathologies that are not compatible with life.

Infection at a later date leads to premature birth, stillbirth, the appearance of a child with severe developmental pathologies, such as:

• Inflammation of the retina, blindness;
• deafness;
• Increased spleen and liver;
• Violation of the development of internal organs;
• jaundice;
• Defeat of the central nervous system (convulsions, paralysis, hydrocephalus, oligophrenia, epilepsy, encephalitis);
• pneumonia;
• Violation of the heart;
• External deformities: cleft lip and palate, pathology of limb development, hernia, hermaphroditism, strabismus, cataracts and more.

Many of the above inborn pathologies lead to infant mortality during the first few weeks of life or to a deep disability. There are cases of birth of a child without pronounced, at first glance, pathologies. But during the first year of life there are symptoms of acute toxoplasmosis.

Given the high level of danger of infection for an unborn baby, doctors in the period of planning, conception, and throughout pregnancy prescribe women a comprehensive analysis of the TORCH infection, which includes a study for toxoplasmosis. The norm of analyzes during pregnancy does not differ from the generally accepted indicators.

Timely treatment significantly increases the chances of a healthy baby. In this case, the benefits of the drugs used exceed the possible harm they caused.

Indications for treatment of toxoplasmosis

On the form of the analysis the result "toxoplasmosis: the norm in the blood" is indicated - treatment is not required in this case. In most cases with a pathogenic microorganism, the human immune system can cope independently. Treatment is prescribed only for various violations of immunity in the following cases:

• With acute toxoplasmosis in order to prevent serious complications in AIDS patients and pregnant women;
• At a chronic form of the disease during an exacerbation with the purpose of formation of a normal immune response;
• Treatment can be prescribed for chronic toxoplasmosis in the case of chorioretinitis, infertility, miscarriage.

Treatment of toxoplasmosis in people with impaired immunity in the absence of pregnancy

People with immunocompromised can be prescribed different drugs, depending on the symptomatology and history:

• "Fundir".
• "Delagil."
• "Tetracycline."
• Doxycycline.
• "Prednisolone."
• "Spiramycin".
• "Trichopol".
• Calcium folinate.

Pregnant women are not allowed to take the above drugs.

Treatment of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women

How to decipher the analysis of toxoplasmosis in a future mother? The norm during pregnancy is also determined by the presence or absence of a causative parasite or protective antibodies of the Igg and IgM groups.

If the analysis confirmed the presence of an acute phase of infection, one of two types of therapy can be used:

1. The appointment of "Rovamycin" is possible in different courses: 1.5 million units twice a day for 6 weeks; 3 million units twice a day for 4 weeks or 3 million units three times a day for 10 days. Prescribe such treatment for a period not earlier than 16 weeks of pregnancy.
2. A complex consisting of "Pyrimethamine" and "Sulfadaxine". Dosage and duration of the course is indicated by the doctor. Treatment can be prescribed after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
3. In case of inflammation of the eyes, treatment with Prednisolone is necessary.
4. Also in uncomplicated cases apply "Spiramycin".

Methods of prevention

If you are planning a baby, and the results of the tests showed no antibodies to toxoplasmosis, there is no other way to protect the baby's future from the disease, except for preventive measures. Based on knowledge of the methods of infection, we can identify the following preventive measures:

• Minimize contact with animals throughout the gestation period;
• Do not eat raw and poorly fried meat, unwashed vegetables;
• Work with soil only in rubber gloves ;
• Do not forget to wash your hands thoroughly and often.

Such simple rules will help to save not only health, but life of an unborn baby and a future mother.

Based on the information stated in the article, we can conclude that toxoplasmosis is an extremely dangerous disease for the future mother and her baby. But modern medicine is able to detect specific antibodies in a timely manner, which protect the body from infection. In this case, it is necessary not only to hand over in time, but also correctly interpret the results of the analysis for toxoplasmosis. The norm in pregnant women does not differ from the generally established indicators. Thus, the presence or absence of IgG immunoglobulins may indicate directly opposite clinical pictures. Therefore, trust a specialist - strictly follow all his recommendations, do not engage in self-interpretation of the results. In this case, the probability of a successful birth of a healthy child is very high. Be healthy!