Serologic tests are available to determine who has become infected with toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma-specific IgG antibodies are detectable 1–3 weeks after infection and remain detectable for the life of the individual. Toxoplasma-specific IgM antibodies are also detectable 1–3 weeks after infection but generally decline to nil by 1 year after infection. The presence of both IgG and IgM is evidence for infection within the last year. The presence of IgG antibody without IgM is considered indicative of past infection. All eligible participants were tested for serum IgG, and positive sera were tested for the presence of IgM. These data will be used to estimate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the U.S. and to determine whether the rates are changing over time. Toxoplasma IgG antibody was measured in NHANES III with an overall prevalence of 22.5%.
Participants aged 6–49 years were tested.
Toxoplasma (IgG)
The presence and quantity of IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in the test sample were determined by performing an EIA test with Toxoplasma antigen. A standard curve was constructed using optical density readings from positive control sera wells; these readings were calibrated to World Health Organization (WHO) Toxo 60 serum and read as International Units (IU/mL). Those test samples with results below 10 IU/mL indicated a non-significant level of antibody; thus, they were considered to be negative, indicating no infection. Those test samples with results greater than 9 IU/mL were considered to be positive, indicating Toxoplasma infection at some undetermined time.
Toxoplasma (IgM)
The presence and quantity of IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in the test sample were determined by performing an IgM-capture enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test with Toxoplasma antigen. Results are obtained by dividing the optical density of the test sample well by the optical density of the positive standard well and multiplying the result by 100.
Those test samples exhibiting ratios below 2.0 indicated a non-significant level of IgM antibody according to this technique; thus, they were considered to be negative for IgM antibodies. Those test samples with ratios equal to or greater than 2.0 were considered to be IgM positive, indicating either Toxoplasma infection within the last 2 years or a false-positive reaction.
There were no changes to equipment, lab site, or lab method from the previous 2 years. Measurements of Toxoplasma (Dye), Toxoplasma Differential Agglutination, and Toxoplasma (Avidity) were dropped from the previous 2 years of NHANES.
A detailed description of the laboratory method used can be found on the NHANES website.
Blood specimens were processed, stored, and shipped to Division of Parasitic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA for analysis. Detailed specimen collection and processing instructions are discussed in the NHANES LPM. Read the LABDOC file for detailed data processing and editing protocols. The analytical methods are described in the Description of the Laboratory Methodology section.
This file contains no top coding, fill values, or minimal detectable limits.
Detailed instructions on specimen collection and processing can be found on the NHANES website.
The NHANES quality control and quality assurance protocols (QA/QC) meet the 1988 Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments mandates. Detailed quality control and quality assurance instructions are discussed in the NHANES Laboratory/Medical Technologists Procedures Manual (LPM). Read the LABDOC file for detailed QA/QC protocols.
A detailed description of the quality assurance and quality control procedures can be found on the NHANES website.
The analysis of NHANES 2003–2004 laboratory data must be conducted with the key survey design and basic demographic variables. The NHANES 2003–2004 Household Questionnaire Data Files contain demographic data, health indicators, and other related information collected during household interviews. They also contain all survey design variables and sample weights for these age groups. The phlebotomy file includes auxiliary information such as the conditions precluding venipuncture. The household questionnaire and phlebotomy files may be linked to the laboratory data file using the unique survey participant identifier SEQN.
Toxoplasmosis antibody: These data are released as International Units (IU). Though the data are released as individual units, the data should be analyzed qualitatively and categorized as positive when IU ≥10 and negative when IU = 0–9 IU.
LBXT01
This test was performed on all examinees aged 6–49 years.
LBXT02
This test was performed only if LBXT01 ≥ 10.
| Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 240 | Range of Values | 5120 | 5120 | |
| . | Missing | 535 | 5655 |
| Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 3 | Range of Values | 432 | 432 | |
| . | Missing | 5223 | 5655 |