Anyone had a test for toxoplasmosis midway/late through pregnancy?

[Gagagalaxy]

Is it possible to tell if someone is immune after they have been pregnant for a while (I'm 21 weeks for example)? Ie. if the test results are positive for antibodies to the infection how do they know whether it was before or during the pregnancy?

I have been panicking about toxo this week (although have calmed down A LOT) and after being refused a test by the NHS I have found a private place that does it.

Now, I don't want to get the test done if there is not going to be any clarity between infection during pregnancy or beforehand.

What I mean by this is, am I only going to be reassured if I get a negative result? If the test comes back positive for antibodies are they able to distinguish between infection during pregnancy or infection before pregnancy for certain?

Thanks for your help

Not sure about toxo but for my slapped cheek virus tests they could distinguish between recent infection and past infection as the antibodies involved in initial infection differ to the ones that are made later on creating immunity - my alevel biology is very rusty but that is how I understood those tests.

The different antibodies are IgG and IgM.

Thanks Clarella. That's useful to know, so hopefully they can distinguish between plc and new with this too.

Look at IgG and IgM on Wikipedia, IgM is the initial response antibody to any infection but too big to pass through the placenta (recent infection) IgG is the later, mature antibody produced in immunity, small enough to pass through to baby giving protection (past infection so immune). Interestingly IgM first able to be produced by baby at around 20 wks - possibly why in slapped cheek its less risk after 20 wks, I'm not sure, nor if this also relates to toxo, but basically the body produces the same immune response to any infection, colds, viruses etc. So should be the same in toxo.

Sorry, I love cellular biology, no idea why I did fine art.

All the best, I know you've been worried and I hope you are less so now xx

Thanks so much for the info, I've learnt some interesting stuff today!

You've been a great help Clarella xx