The human body is often inhabited by uninvited “guests”: helminths and unicellular organisms of various types.Most of them live in the intestine, but there are also those that prefer to be located in the liver, brain and other organs, moving through the circulatory system.
It is impossible to detect such "new colonists" in feces.To identify them, you need to take 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, where the reaction to antibodies is determined - are considered the most reliable.In this way you can identify: Giardia, Echinococcus, trichinosis, ascoridosis, opisthorchiasis, toxocariasis.
Who needs to seek medical help?
When they colonize the body, parasites begin to feed on the beneficial substances that enter 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 nutrition;
- a condition resembling intoxication: muscle pain, sleep problems, rashes on the body;
- nocturnal teeth grinding, noted by others;
- tiredness, lethargy, weakness;
- inability to have enough.
The malaise is caused by poisoning of the body: intoxication is caused by waste products of helminths and decaying individuals, which cannot always leave their habitat in a natural way.An enzyme immunoassay for adults allows the identification of parasitic markers.During it it is possible to see the exact amount of immunoglobulins and specific antibodies in the human body.
Additionally, it is recommended to perform a PCR - polymer chain reaction test.Identify the exact types of helminths.
It is necessary to donate blood to identify parasites and not just experience the unpleasant symptoms described above.It is recommended that adults be tested for parasites when planning a pregnancy, before vaccinations and after completing treatment for helminth infections to monitor the situation.
Which tests should be performed for parasites in adults is decided by the attending physician.It is expensive to take all the tests in a row - they are paid.
SEROLOGICAL TESTS
If the patient feels unwell and it is appropriate to make a diagnosis quickly, serological tests are prescribed if a helminth infection is suspected.
These rapid methods are based on the types of reactions:
- antigen-antibody;
- 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, introducing appropriate reagents into the biomaterial.
The blood ELISA is a serological test.
You have to wait a week for results, but the latex agglutination test only takes 2.5 hours.
IMMUNE ELISA TEST
This test tube test is considered the most reliable.Principles of the study: the use of the basics of immunology, during which an antigen is associated with specific antibodies.Two components are evaluated: the enzymatic reaction and the immune reflex.An immune reaction is a complex life cycle of cellular compounds, during which antigen and antibodies bind.
Antigens are structures that carry information about cells;they are individual for each person and do not have copies.
Antigens are able to recognize foreign cellular compounds in the immune system.The antigen formed on the surface of an “infected” cell does not coincide with that present in a healthy cell.The body tries to destroy a new form of antigen that does not match the molecule already present in memory.Once tested, this process is clearly visible in a test tube.
When a "foreign" is detected, an antibody is produced, a molecule found 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 designated by the symbols IgA, IgD, IgG, IgE and IgM.
Blood sampling occurs according to the following algorithm:
- The analysis must be performed in the morning: the interval after the last meal must be at least 8 hours;
- up to 5 ml of blood is taken into a clean tube in the laboratory from adults from the cubital vein;
- In newborns, the biomaterial is collected from the placenta or umbilical cord.
The day before the test you should stop drinking carbonated drinks, alcohol and taking antibacterial drugs.
The analysis is presented in table form:
- negative result – the titles of JgA, JgG and JgM are negative – at the end there is a minus sign (-);
- there is post-infectious or hypo-vaccination 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 headlines are positive;
- chronic infection in remission – JgG and JgA (+/-), JgM (-);
- upon recovery, the table will have a value: the JgM title is negative (-).
GENERAL BLOOD TEST
A general blood test done via finger prick is also a type of diagnosis that indicates enterobiasis.Blood is donated as during a regular examination, preferably on an empty stomach.If eosinophils increase above 20%, we can conclude that there are helminths in the body and continue the examination.
Eosinophils are leukocyte growth cells, granulocytic leukocytes of the blood.In the body they have the task of identifying foreign elements and fighting the toxins they release.Eosinophils purify the blood and prevent pathological damage to living tissues.
HEMOSCAN
Many helminths go through developmental stages outside the intestine and migrate through the bloodstream throughout the body.Blood is drawn from a finger onto a glass slide and then placed under a microscope.
Then, for some time, laboratory technicians study in real time what changes occur in this drop of blood.
You can find helminth larvae in it and "spy" on their vital activity and the development of helminth from the larva.
The reliability is not as high as with ELISA - 97, 98% and 90% - but with proper collection of biomaterial it is possible to determine the type of parasites, the level of antibody production and prescribe special drugs.
Drugs against helminthiasis have many side effects, so it is extremely important to determine the type of helminths to prescribe specialized drugs.
BLOOD TESTS FOR PARASITES – PROS AND CONS
The doctor determines which type of examination to choose to identify enterobiasis.
Benefits of blood tests:
- when collecting feces, it is possible that the period of the life cycle during which worm eggs are released from the body is not reached;
- The test results do not depend on the human factor: on the qualifications of the laboratory assistant;
- Not only the qualitative state of the body is evaluated, but also the level of infection: the amount of antibodies produced is determined.
Disadvantages of evaluating helminth infection by blood tests:
- lower availability and high costs for testing;
- special equipment is required;
- You have to wait up to 7 days for results.
After receiving a referral for a blood test for parasites, you need to find out what it is called.If helminth infection of various types is suspected, several tests are performed.