Toxoplasma PCR

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Virology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

TPCR

Test Code (Numeric Code)

8605

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

A dedicated specimen (i.e. no other tests to be performed) is required for this assay.

Transport

EDTA: transport to the laboratory at ambient temperature on the day of collection.

Registration

If an FBC and Molecular testing are both requested and only one EDTA tube is received, send the specimen for FBC testing and forward a “Query Correct Specimen” form to VIM. If both a micro EDTA specimen and a full EDTA tube are received for FBC and Molecular testing, send the micro EDTA specimen for FBC testing and the full EDTA tube for Molecular testing

Separating

Unspun EDTA whole blood

Laboratory

EDTA whole blood, Fresh tissue, PET block and other fluid specimens: should be sent to the Molecular Infectious Diseases section during normal working hours, Monday to Friday (08:00–16:00). After hours and on weekends, store specimens at 2–8°C in the designated box/rack in ALSS.

Sample Stability

EDTA whole blood, Fresh tissue, PET block and other fluid specimens: Stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours and at 2–8°C for up to 7 days.

Synonyms

Toxoplasma PCR
Toxoplasma gondii (Toxoplasmosis) Nucleic Acid Detection

Turnaround Time

3 days

Specimen Type

• Amniotic Fluid
• CSF
• Tissue
• Vitreous Fluid
• Whole Blood

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Please refer to Additional Information below
• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Acceptable

• Please refer to Additional Information below
• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

1

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

0.5

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Microtainer)

Acceptable

• EDTA (Microtainer)

Additional Specimen Information

Unspun EDTA whole blood 1 mL. Absolute minimum 0 .3 mL
Amniotic fluid preferred volume is 2mL
CSF preferred volume is 1 mL.

Acutely infected adult or immunosuppressed patient:
Tissue biopsy: e.g. Lymph node, cardiac biopsy, brain biopsy, vitreous biopsy .

Congenital infection - newborn infant:
Fresh placental biopsy: Note: Sampling error may occur, so multiple small samples are preferred.

Aliquot Instructions

Transport to Lab

Ambient (8 - 24 degrees Celsius)
Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)
Frozen

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Sample requirements
Amniotic fluid: preferred volume 2 mL.
CSF: preferred volume 1 mL.
EDTA whole blood: minimum 2 mL, unspun.

Acutely infected adult or immunosuppressed patient:
Tissue biopsy, e.g. lymph node, cardiac tissue, brain tissue or vitreous specimen.
Submit fresh tissue in sterile normal saline.

Congenital infection – newborn infant:
Fresh placental biopsy in sterile normal saline.
Multiple small placental samples are preferred.

Sample stability:
EDTA whole blood: stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours and at 2–8°C for up to 7 days. Do not freeze whole blood.
Amniotic fluid, CSF, fresh tissue and placental tissue: stable at room temperature for up to 24 hours and at 2–8°C for up to 7 days. If storage exceeds 7 days, freeze the specimen.

Transport:
Transport EDTA whole blood chilled at 2–8°C if it will be received within 7 days of collection.
Transport amniotic fluid, CSF, fresh tissue and placental tissue chilled at 2–8°C if they will be received within 7 days of collection. If this period will be exceeded, transport frozen.

For any other specimen type, please contact Clinical Virologist via AK-MOL-INF-DIS@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz before sending the specimen.

Test Method

Qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 529-bp repeat element of the Toxoplasma gondii genome.

Limitations / Interference

Lowest limit of detection: 180 copies/mL

Urgent enquiries:
In normal working hours (08:00-16:00 Mon-Fri) contact Clinical Virology via LabLINK (internal extension 22000, external number 09 307 8995).
Outside of normal working hours (evenings and weekends) contact the On Call Clinical Microbiologist via Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland main switchboard (09 367 0000).
Non-urgent enquiries:
Email: AK-MOL-INF-DIS@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Contact Information