laboratory diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and its importance

toxoplasma gondii as a protozoan parasite is the etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis. although t. gondii infection in healthy adults is asymptomatic; however, primary infection during pregnancy can cause severe complication such as fetus death and abortion, anatomical and mental malformation and ocular toxoplasmosis. it can be life threatening for immunocompromised person including cerebral abscess, encephalitis, pneumonia and death.correct and rapid diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is very important especially among seronegative pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. the objective of the present article was to review and compare of routine and new diagnostic methods of toxoplasmosis with emphasis on specificity and sensitivity of them. keywords: toxoplasmosis, laboratory diagnosis, serology