The human body is quite often inhabited by unwanted “guests” – helminths and single-celled organisms of various types.Most of them inhabit the intestines, but there are also some that prefer to be located in the liver, brain and other organs, in the circulatory system.
It is impossible to detect such “new colonists” in feces.To identify them, you need to do a blood test to detect parasites.
Currently, the following types of tests have been developed:
- serological tests;
- enzyme immunoassay;
- hemoscanner – microscopy;
Serological tests - blood tests for parasites in a test tube, where the reaction to antibodies is determined - are considered the most reliable.This way you can identify: Giardia, Echinococcus, trichinosis, ascoridosis, opisthorchiasis, toxocariasis.
Who needs to see a doctor?
When colonizing the body, parasites begin to feed on the beneficial substances that enter it, thereby 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 state reminiscent of intoxication - muscle pain, problems sleeping, rashes on the body;
- nighttime teeth grinding, noticed by others;
- fatigue, lethargy, weakness;
- inability to have enough.
Discomfort is caused by poisoning of the body - poisoning is caused by the waste of helminths and decaying individuals, which cannot always naturally leave their habitat.An enzyme immunoassay for adults allows the identification of parasitic markers.During it, it is possible to see the exact amount of specific immunoglobulins and antibodies in the human body.
Additionally, it is recommended to do a PCR – polymer chain reaction test.It identifies the exact types of helminths.
You need to donate blood to identify parasites, and not just to experience the unpleasant symptoms described above.Adults are recommended to be tested for parasites when planning a pregnancy, before vaccinations and after completing treatment for helminthic infections in order to monitor the situation.
The tests to be carried out to detect parasites in adults are decided by the attending physician.Passing all the tests in a row is expensive - they are paid.
SEROLOGICAL TESTS
If the patient does not feel well and it is desirable to make a diagnosis quickly, then serological tests are prescribed if a helminthic infection is suspected.
These quick methods are based on the types of reactions:
- antigen-antibody;
- latex clumping;
- 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.
Blood ELISA is a serological test.
It takes a week to get results, but the latex agglutination test only takes 2.5 hours.
IMMUNO ELISA ASSAY
This test tube test is considered the most reliable.Principles of the study: use 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 response 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 of 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 attempts to destroy a new form of antigen that does not match the molecule already in memory.When tested, this process is clearly visible in a test tube.
When a “foreign” is detected, an antibody is produced – a molecule located on the surface of each 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 is carried out according to the following algorithm:
- The analysis should be carried out in the morning - the interval after the last meal should be at least 8 hours;
- up to 5 ml of blood is collected in a clean test tube in the laboratory from adults from the cubital vein;
- In newborns, 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 titers of JgA, JgG and JgM are negative – there is a minus sign (-) at the end;
- there is post-infectious or hypo-vaccinal 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 (-);
- when fetching, the array will have a value - JgM title is negative (-).
GENERAL BLOOD TEST
A general blood test performed by finger prick is also a type of diagnosis indicating enterobiosis.Blood donation is carried out in the same way as during a regular examination, preferably on an empty stomach.If eosinophils increase above 20%, we can conclude that helminths are present in the body and continue the examination.
Eosinophils are leukocyte growth cells, the granulocytic leukocytes of the blood.In the body, they are responsible for detecting foreign elements and fighting the toxins they release.Eosinophils purify the blood and prevent pathological damage to living tissues.
HEMOSCANNING
Many helminths undergo stages of development outside the intestines and migrate through the bloodstream throughout the body.Blood is taken from a finger onto a glass slide and then placed under a microscope.
Then, for a period of time, lab technicians study the changes that occur in that drop of blood in real time.
There you can find helminth larvae and “spy” on their vital activity and the development of helminths from the larva.
The reliability is not as high as with ELISA - 97, 98% and 90% - but with proper collection of biomaterial, the type of parasites, the level of antibody production can be determined and special medications can be prescribed.
Medicines for helminthiasis have many side effects, so it is extremely important to determine the type of helminths in order to prescribe specialized drugs.
BLOOD TESTS FOR PARASITES – ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
The doctor determines which type of examination to choose to identify enterobiosis.
Benefits of blood tests:
- when collecting feces, you may not reach the period of the life cycle when worm eggs are released from the body;
- 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 assessed, but also the level of infection - the amount of produced antibodies is determined.
Disadvantages of assessing helminthic infection using blood tests:
- less availability and high cost of testing;
- special equipment is required;
- You should wait up to 7 days to see results.
After receiving a referral for a blood test for parasites, you need to know what it is called.If infection with helminths of different types is suspected, different tests are carried out.