The human body is often inhabited by uninvited "guests" - helminths and unicellular organisms of various species.Most of them inhabit the intestines, but there are also those who prefer to localize in the liver, brain and other organs, moving through the circulatory system.
It is impossible to detect such "new settlers" in feces.To identify them, you need to take a blood test for parasites.
Currently, the following types of testing have been developed:
- serological tests;
- enzyme immunoassay;
- hemoscanning – microscopy;
Serological testing is considered the most reliable - a blood test for parasites in a test tube, where the reaction to antibodies is determined.In this way you can identify: Giardia, Echinococcus, trichinosis, ascoridosis, opisthorchiasis, toxocariasis.
Who should seek medical help?
When they colonize the body, the parasites begin to feed on useful substances that enter it, depleting its reserves.
The following conditions are considered characteristic symptoms that indicate the presence of helminths in adults:
- intestinal problems - alternating diarrhea and constipation, cramps, increased flatulence;
- iron deficiency anemia with a normal diet;
- a condition reminiscent of intoxication - muscle pain, sleep problems, rash on the body;
- nocturnal grinding of teeth, noticed by others;
- fatigue, lethargy, weakness;
- inability to get enough.
Weakness is caused by poisoning of the organism - intoxication is caused by waste products of helminths and decaying individuals, which cannot always leave their habitat naturally.Enzyme immunoassay for adults enables the identification of parasite markers.During it, it is possible to see the exact amount of specific immunoglobulins and antibodies in the human body.
In addition, it is recommended to do a PCR test - polymer chain reaction.Identifies the exact species of helminths.
You need to donate blood to identify the parasites and not just have the unpleasant symptoms described above.It is recommended that adults be tested for parasites when planning pregnancy, before vaccination and after completing treatment for helminth infections to monitor the situation.
What tests should be taken for parasites in adults is decided by the doctor.It is expensive to take all the tests in a row - they are paid for.
SEROLOGY TESTS
If the patient does not feel well and it is desirable to establish a diagnosis quickly, then serological tests are prescribed if 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 in a syringe, but in an open test tube.Research is carried out in vitro, by introducing appropriate reagents into the biomaterial.
Blood ELISA is a serological test.
You have to wait a week for the results, but the latex agglutination test only takes 2.5 hours.
ELISA IMMUNO ANALYSIS
This test in test tubes is considered the most reliable.Principles of the study: the use of the basics of immunology, during which the antigen is associated with specific antibodies.Two components are evaluated - the enzymatic reaction and the immune reflex.The 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 have no copies.
Antigens are capable of recognizing foreign cellular compounds in the immune system.The antigen formed on the surface of an "infected" cell does not match what is present in a healthy one.The body tries to destroy a new form of antigen that does not match the molecule already in memory.When tested, this process is clearly visible in the test tube.
When a "foreigner" is detected, an antibody is produced - a molecule found on the surface of every immune cell.The antibody transmits the information to the nucleus of the cell, which triggers a complex mechanism - the bond with the antigen is broken, the cell is released.Antibodies are marked with symbols – IgA, IgD, IgG, IgE and IgM.
Blood sampling is performed 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;
- up to 5 ml of blood is taken 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 the form of a table:
- negative result – JgA, JgG and JgM titers are negative – there is a minus sign (-) at the end;
- there is immunity after infection or hypovaccination - this happens if you have recently undergone treatment - JgA and JgM (-), JgG (+);
- acute process – JgG and JgA (-/+), JgM (+);
- worsening of the chronic process - all titers are positive;
- chronic infection in remission – JgG and JgA (+/-), JgM (-);
- after recovery, the table will have one value - the JgM titer is negative (-).
GENERAL BLOOD
A general finger prick blood test is also a type of diagnosis that indicates enterobia.Blood is donated in the same way 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 are responsible for detecting foreign elements and fighting against the toxins they release.Eosinophils purify the blood and prevent pathological damage to living tissues.
CHEMOSCENSING
Many helminths pass through developmental stages outside the intestine and migrate through the bloodstream throughout the body.Blood is taken from the finger on a glass slide and then placed under a microscope.
Then, over a period of time, lab technicians study what changes occur in this drop of blood in real time.
In it you can find helminth larvae and "spy" on their vital activity and the development of helminths from the larva.
Reliability is not as high as with ELISA - 97, 98% and 90% - but by properly collecting biomaterials, the type of parasite, the level of antibody production can be determined and special drugs can be prescribed.
Drugs against helminthiasis have many side effects, so it is extremely important to determine the type of helminth in order to prescribe specialized drugs.
BLOOD FOR PARASITES – FOR AND AGAINST
The doctor determines which type of examination to choose to identify enterobiasis.
Advantages of blood analysis:
- when collecting feces, you may not reach the period of the life cycle during which the worm eggs are released from the body;
- The test results do not depend on the human factor - 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 for testing;
- special equipment is required;
- You have to wait up to 7 days for the results.
After you have received a referral for a blood test for parasites, you need to find out what it is called.If infection with helminths of different species is suspected, various tests are performed.