Abstract

Determining acute Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women, due to the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis is of particular interest in Turkey, as well as worldwide. In recent years, a major effort has been made toward improving our ability to diagnose recently acquired infection in the pregnant woman and congenital infection in the fetus and newborn. We now have a number of new methods that are proving to be of great value towards this end. When ordering and interpreting maternal serological screening tests, providers should not assume quality testing and should question each individual lab regarding its methods of quality assurance; in addition, providers should not rely on a single sample test but seek confirmatory testing through a nationally recognized reference laboratory if results are positive.

Keywords: toxoplamosis, toxoplasmosis gondii, diagnosis, toxoplasmosis in pregnancy