Newborn screening for congenital Toxoplasma infection: five years experience in Massachusetts, USA

Scand J Infect Dis Suppl. 1992:84:59-64.

Abstract

Since 1986, all Massachusetts newborn filter paper blood specimens, and some from New Hampshire, have been screened for the presence of IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii using an enzyme-linked IgM capture assay. Among approximately 530,000 infants screened, 40 had serologically confirmed congenital toxoplasma infection, and 4 additional infants had borderline serologies, for an overall identification and treatment rate of 1:12,000. False positive results from the newborn's filter paper specimen occurred in 22 infants (1/24,000); these were clarified by tests for IgM and IgG in serum specimens obtained 2-3 weeks later from the infant and mother. The screening program would have failed to detect 3 infants with severe infection who were diagnosed on clinical grounds prenatally or at birth and lacked IgM. No infants with a later diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis that was missed by screening are known to our statewide network of pediatric infectious disease consultants. Follow-up studies are in progress to evaluate more completely the sensitivity of the IgM assay in newborns and the efficacy of treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Massachusetts
  • Neonatal Screening / methods*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / diagnosis*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan