The human body is often inhabited by uninvited “guests” - helminths and protozoa of various kinds. Most of them inhabit the intestines, but there are also those that prefer to stay in the liver, brain and other organs, moving through the circulatory system.
It is impossible to detect such “new settlers” in the feces.To identify them, you need to do a blood test for parasites.
The following types of tests have currently been developed:
- serological tests;
- enzyme immunoassay;
- Hemoscanning – microscopy;
Serological tests - blood tests for parasites in a test tube, during which the reaction to antibodies is determined - are considered the most reliable.This allows you to identify: Giardia, Echinococcus, Trichinosis, Ascoridosis, Opisthorchiasis, Toxocariasis.
Who needs to seek medical help?
When colonizing the body, parasites begin to feed on the useful substances entering it, depleting its reserves.
The following conditions are considered characteristic symptoms indicating the presence of helminths in adults:
- Intestinal problems – alternating diarrhea and constipation, cramps, increased flatulence;
- iron deficiency anemia with normal diet;
- a condition reminiscent of intoxication – muscle pain, sleep disturbances, skin rashes;
- grinding your teeth at night that is noticed by others;
- tiredness, lethargy, weakness;
- Inability to get enough.
Malaise is caused by poisoning of the body - poisoning is caused by waste products of helminths and decaying individuals that cannot always leave their habitat naturally.An adult enzyme immunoassay allows identification of parasitic markers.It is possible to determine the exact amount of specific immunoglobulins and antibodies in the human body.
In addition, it is recommended to carry out a PCR test - polymer chain reaction.It identifies the exact types of helminths.
You need to donate blood to identify parasites and not just experience the unpleasant symptoms described above.It is recommended to test adults for parasites when planning pregnancy, before vaccinations and after completing treatment for helminth infections to monitor the situation.
The attending physician decides which tests for parasites should be carried out in adults.It is expensive to take all the tests in a row - they are paid.
SEROLOGICAL TESTS
If the patient feels unwell and a quick diagnosis is desirable, serological tests are prescribed if helminth infection is suspected.
These quick methods are based on the reaction types:
- antigen-antibodies;
- latex agglutination;
- immunofluorescence;
- indirect hemagglutination.
Blood is taken from a vein on an empty stomach, but not into a syringe, but into an open test tube.The research is carried out in vitro by introducing appropriate reagents into the biomaterial.
The blood ELISA is a serological test.
You have to wait a week for the result, but the latex agglutination test only takes 2.5 hours.
ELISA IMMUNO ASSAY
This test tube test is considered the most reliable.Principles of the study: Application of the basics of immunology, in which an antigen is associated with specific antibodies.Two components are assessed – the enzymatic reaction and the immune reflex.An immune reaction is a complex life cycle of cellular connections in which antigens and antibodies bind.
Antigens are structures that carry information across cells;They are individual for each person and there are no copies.
Antigens are able to recognize foreign cell connections in the immune system.The antigen formed on the surface of an “infected” cell does not match what is present in a healthy cell.The body attempts to destroy a new form of antigen that does not match the molecule it has already stored.When tested, this process is clearly visible in the test tube.
When a “foreigner” is detected, an antibody is created – a molecule that is located on the surface of every immune cell.The antibody transmits information to the cell nucleus, which triggers a complex mechanism - the connection with the antigen is broken, the cell is released.Antibodies are denoted by the symbols IgA, IgD, IgG, IgE and IgM.
Blood sampling is carried out according to the following algorithm:
- The analysis must be done in the morning - the interval after the last meal should be at least 8 hours;
- In the laboratory, up to 5 ml of blood from the elbow vein is taken from adults into a clean test tube;
- In newborns, biomaterial is collected from the placenta or umbilical cord.
The day before the test, you should avoid consuming carbonated drinks, alcohol and taking antibacterial medications.
The analysis is presented in tabular form:
- negative result – the titers of JgA, JgG and JgM are negative – there is a minus sign (-) at the end;
- There is post-infectious or hypovaccination immunity - this happens if you have recently undergone treatment - JgA and JgM (-), JgG (+);
- acute process – JgG and JgA (-/+), JgM (+);
- Exacerbation of a chronic process – all titers are positive;
- chronic infection in remission – JgG and JgA (+/-), JgM (-);
- After recovery, the table will have a value: The JgM titer is negative (-).
GENERAL BLOOD TEST
A general blood test using a finger prick is also a type of diagnosis indicating enterobiasis.Blood donation is carried out in the same way as a regular examination - ideally on an empty stomach.If the eosinophil count rises above 20%, we can conclude that there are helminths in the body and continue the investigation.
Eosinophils are cells of leukocyte growth, granulocytic leukocytes of the blood.In the body, they are responsible for detecting foreign bodies and combating the toxins they release.Eosinophils purify the blood and prevent pathological damage to living tissue.
HEMOSCANNING
Many helminths go through developmental stages outside the intestine and travel through the body via the bloodstream.Blood is drawn from a finger onto a glass slide and then placed under a microscope.
Laboratory technicians then spend some time studying in real time what changes occur in this drop of blood.
In it you can find helminth larvae and “spy” on their vital activity and the development of the helminth from the larva.
The reliability is not as high as ELISA - 97, 98% and 90% - but with the correct collection of biomaterial, the type of parasites and the level of antibody production can be determined and special drugs can be prescribed.
Helminthiasis medications have many side effects.Therefore, it is extremely important to determine the type of helminths in order to prescribe special medications.
BLOOD TESTS FOR PARASITES – ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
The doctor determines which type of examination should be chosen to determine enterobiasis.
Benefits of a blood test:
- When collecting feces, you may not reach the time in the life cycle when worm eggs are released from the body.
- The test results do not depend on the human factor – the qualifications of the laboratory technician;
- Not only the qualitative condition of the body is assessed, but also the degree of infection - the amount of antibodies produced.
Disadvantages of assessing helminth infection using blood tests:
- lower availability and high testing costs;
- special equipment is required;
- You will have to wait up to 7 days for results.
After you receive a referral for a blood test for parasites, you need to find out what it is called.If infection with helminths of different types is suspected, different tests are carried out.