TABLE 1

General Interpretation of Toxoplasma gondii Serologic Results Obtained

with Commercial Assays
IgG
result
IgM result Interpretation and follow-up testing in humans, except infants
Negative Negative No serologic evidence of T. gondii infection
Negative Equivocal Possible early acute T. gondii infection or a false-positive IgM reaction: in 2
to 3 weeks, obtain a new specimen for IgG and IgM testing; if the results for
Negative Positive

the second specimen remain the same, the patient probably is not infected.
Possible acute T. gondii infection or a false-positive IgM reaction: in 2 to 3
weeks, obtain a new specimen for IgG and IgM testing; if the results for the
second specimen remain the same, the IgM reaction is probably a false

Equivocal Negative

positive.
Indeterminate: Obtain a new specimen for testing or retest this specimen for

IgG using a different assay.

Equivocal Equivocal Indeterminate: Obtain a new specimen for IgG and IgM testing.
Equivocal Positive
Possible acute T. gondii infection: in 2 to 3 weeks, obtain a new specimen
for IgG and IgM testing; if the results for the second specimen remain the
same or the IgG test becomes positive, both specimens should undergo
further testing in a reference laboratory with experience in the diagnosis of
Positive
Positive

toxoplasmosis.
Negative Infected with T. gondii usually for more than 6 months.
Equivocal Infected with T. gondii but equivocal IgM results may be due to recent
infection or a false-positive IgM reaction: in 2 to 3 weeks, obtain a new
specimen for IgM testing; if the results for the second specimen remain the
same, both specimens should undergo further testing in a reference

Positive

Positive

laboratory with experience in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis.

Possible T. gondii infection within the past 12 months or a false-positive IgM
reaction: the specimen should undergo further testing in a reference
laboratory with experience in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis.

Adapted with permission from Wilson M, McAuley JM. Toxoplasma. In: Murray PR, ed.
Manual of clinical microbiology. 7th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Society for
Microbiology, 1999:1379.

IgG
result
IgM result Interpretation and follow-up testing in humans, except infants
Negative Negative No serologic evidence of T. gondii infection
Negative Equivocal Possible early acute T. gondii infection or a false-positive IgM reaction: in 2
to 3 weeks, obtain a new specimen for IgG and IgM testing; if the results for
Negative Positive

the second specimen remain the same, the patient probably is not infected.
Possible acute T. gondii infection or a false-positive IgM reaction: in 2 to 3
weeks, obtain a new specimen for IgG and IgM testing; if the results for the
second specimen remain the same, the IgM reaction is probably a false

Equivocal Positive

positive.
Possible acute T. gondii infection: in 2 to 3 weeks, obtain a new specimen
for IgG and IgM testing; if the results for the second specimen remain the
same or the IgG test becomes positive, both specimens should undergo
further testing in a reference laboratory with experience in the diagnosis of

Positive
Positive

toxoplasmosis.
Negative Infected with T. gondii usually for more than 6 months.
Equivocal Infected with T. gondii but equivocal IgM results may be due to recent
infection or a false-positive IgM reaction: in 2 to 3 weeks, obtain a new
specimen for IgM testing; if the results for the second specimen remain the
same, both specimens should undergo further testing in a reference

Positive

Positive

laboratory with experience in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis.

Possible T. gondii infection within the past 12 months or a false-positive IgM
reaction: the specimen should undergo further testing in a reference
laboratory with experience in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis.