Question about Testing for Toxoplasmosis

[molley21]

Hi, I'm just wondering how they test for toxoplasmosis, is it just a normal blood test or is it an amnio, and any other information you would know about it would be handy as well...eg; How accurate is the test ect.
Thankyou.

[peekawho]

They don't routinely test for it.  Its a blood test, and it looks for the development of recent antibodies.  Many people have evidence of an old exposure to  toxoplasmosis on a blood test.  I'm not sure of the accuracy statistics.  

Why do you ask?

[April2]

It's a blood test. I asked to get it done with my last pregnancy because I had gotten a new cat and I was worried that I had been changing the cat box before I found out I was pregnant, and I didn't know if the cat had been exposed to it or not. Actually, you can get the cat tested too if you'd rather test the cat instead of you. I'm assuming that's why you want it done? Because you have a cat and are worried? The chance of you or the cat having it are slim, my vet said. She said she worked around many cats in her job when she was pregnant. I don't know if this is helpful or not! But I know when I was pregnant I worried about everything! I hope this eases your mind somewhat.

[molley21]

I just wanted to know because I've been at my mums for almost a month now and they have two cats that are inside and outside cats and plus some meats and chicken that I've eaten I've had to cook in a hurry and I've found some bits of it were not cooked properly, (this has happend on several occasions) obviously I didn't eat those bits but not sure if I may have eaten some uncooked parts already (I am the worst cook). And yes I am a worry wart about everything during pregnancy, suppose it just comes with territory though. Do you know how high the risk is in contracting this disease?

[tiredbuthappy]

it's actually pretty easy to get toxoplasmosis, and many people in the population have already had it. you're likely to have had it if you have had cats (esp. outdoor cats) in the past, or if you do a lot of gardening. people generally don't know if they've had it, because normally it's not a big deal. it's only a potential problem if you get it when you're pregnant. i was tested for it when i found out i was pregnant. my dr ordered the test when he learned i have 2 cats. i have not had it before, so i had to avoid the litter box.

[molley21]

My mum has always had cats but I havn't lived with her since I was 15 and am now 22 and have not been around cats since living with her, I've been here almost a month now, do you think I should get tested?

[molley21]

My mum has always had cats but I havn't lived with her since I was 15 and am now 22 and have not been around cats since living with her, I've been here almost a month now, do you think I should get tested?

[tiredbuthappy]

it's up to your OB. mine just went ahead and did it. the only thing the test can tell you is if you've had it. if you have, you have nothing to worry about. if you haven't, it's no big deal- just avoid litter boxes. don't worry about taking it because you've had uncooked meat recently. i believe that the test won't tell when the exposure was, just whether or not the antibodies are there (though not 100% sure about that last bit).

[girliegrl1723]

chances are if you were around cats at your moms house as a child, you have already developed an immunity to it. like tiredbuthappy said - its very common and easy to contract, however, toxoplasmosis is often lying dormant as your body can easily develop an immunity to it and if you come in contact with cat feces or whatever, you can contract it, but it wont effect you - or your baby. i have a cat and have had animals my whole life. my cat is strictly indoor, but was a stray kitten before we took her in. i cleaned her litterbox the whole time i was pregnant and my dr. was not concerned. if you are concerned though, especially, because of what you mentioned about the meats you ate, then get checked. it is a simple test. good luck.

[molley21]

OK thankyou everyone for your responses, I think I will get a test just as soon as I get back home, I'm going to be stressing about this the whole time if I don't, thanks everyone.

[KellyTexas]

I work at an animal shelter and have worked with animals as a vet tech for over 15 years.  My doctor tested me and there are actual to things they check for - old immunities and new exposures.  Unfortunately my first test came back positive for both.  My old immunites were to my cats which were all indoors and vaccinated regularly.  We had a scare on my original blood test with a very high recent positive exposure.  They however will not treat for toxo until you receive a positive result from the CDC so I had to be retested.  Thank god they both came back negative.  Apparently positive tests are very regular.  You should be fine, but it never hurts to have an extra blood test to put your mind at ease.