Temperature and time dependent variations in anti-toxoplasma gondii antibody titrations in serum samples

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to determine the temperature and time dependent changes of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibody titers in serum samples taken from T. gondii infected female patients for routine control in Parasitology Polyclinic of Manisa Celal Bayar University Hafsa Sultan Hospital. Material and Methods: In May 2017-February 2018, five serum samples (which were stored at different time periods and conditions) of pregnant or non-pregnant women aged 18 years and over who were infected with T. gondii and had applied to our Parasitology Department of Hafsa Sultan Hospital, Manisa Celal Bayar University, had been investigated for anti-T. gondii IgG antibody levels by ELFA (Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay). Results: Serum samples of five volunteer women infected with T. gondii which were stored at room temperature (20/25°C), cargo package (+4/+8°C), refrigerator (+4°C), deep freeze (-16/-20°C) and incubator (+37°C) were tested at 0, 24, 48. and 72 hours with the ELFA test. There was no statistically significant difference in anti-T. gondii IgG antibody titers (p> 0.05). Conclusion: It was found that the test results obtained from patients infected with T. gondii in different times and conditions of up to 72. hours were not affected clinically significantly. Therefore, it was concluded that the study of the test with a serum sample of up to 72 hours was sufficient, and it was not necessary to invite the patients to the clinic to repeat blood sampling. It has been concluded that more comprehensive data can be obtained by increasing the number of patients and keeping serum samples for longer than 72 hours.