Clinical background:
Human toxocariasis is caused by migration of the larvae of Toxocara canis (dog roundworm) and less frequently of T. cati (cat roundworm) through the human tissues. Serology may be useful in diagnosis (in the ocular form, test vitreous fluids for antibodies). The currently recommended serology test for toxocariasis is enzyme immunoassay
Specimen container paediatric:
Clotted blood.
Specimen container adult:
Clotted blood – Gold SST.
Minimum volume paediatric:
1ml
Minimum volume adult:
5ml
Special requirements:
Send to laboratory as quickly as possible. If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C.
Sample stability:
Stable for up to 24 hrs.
Transport requirements:
Standard
Add on test:
N/A
Quality assurance:
Sample referred to Reference Laboratory.
Interpretation:
Interpretative comments are added to reports where applicable.
Reference ranges:
None available
Factors affecting result:
If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C
Referenced Documents:
N/A
Other info:
Referred to London School of Tropical Medicine