The human body is quite often inhabited by uninvited “guests” – helminths and single-celled organisms of various types.Most of them inhabit the intestines, but there are also those that prefer to be localized 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 - blood tests for parasites in a test tube, where the reaction to antibodies is determined - is considered the most reliable.In this way you can identify: Giardia, Echinococcus, trichinosis, ascoridosis, opisthorchiasis, toxocariasis.
Who needs to seek medical help?
When colonizing the body, parasites begin to feed on the beneficial 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 nutrition;
- a condition reminiscent of intoxication - muscle pain, sleep problems, rashes on the body;
- night grinding of teeth, which is noticed by others;
- fatigue, lethargy, weakness;
- inability to get enough.
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 naturally.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.
In addition, it is recommended to do a PCR test - polymer chain reaction.It identifies the exact types of helminths.
You need to donate blood to identify parasites, not only experiencing the unpleasant symptoms described above.It is recommended that adults be tested for parasites when planning pregnancy, before vaccinations, and after completing treatment for helminthic infections to monitor the situation.
What tests should be taken 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 desirable to make 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 into a syringe, but into an open test tube.Research is carried out in vitro, introducing appropriate reagents into the biomaterial.
Blood ELISA is a serological test.
You have to wait a week for results, but the latex agglutination test only takes 2.5 hours.
ELISA IMMUNO ASSAY
This test tube testing 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 assessed - 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 capable of recognizing foreign cellular compounds in the immune system.The antigen formed on the surface of an “infected” cell does not coincide with 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 a test tube.
When a “stranger” is detected, an antibody is produced - 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 designated by the symbols – IgA, IgD, IgG, IgE and IgM.
Blood sampling occurs 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 into 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-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 titers are positive;
- chronic infection in remission – JgG and JgA (+/-), JgM (-);
- upon recovery, the table will have one value - the JgM titer is negative (-).
GENERAL BLOOD TEST
A general blood test from a finger prick is also a type of diagnosis that indicates enterobiasis.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 cells of leukocyte growth, 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 developmental stages outside the intestines 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 what changes occur in this drop of blood in real time.
You can find helminth larvae in it and “spy” on their vital activity and the development of the helminth 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 against 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 – PROS AND CONS
The doctor determines what type of examination to choose to identify enterobiasis.
Benefits of blood testing:
- when collecting feces, you may not get to the period of the life cycle during which 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 antibodies produced 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 results.
Having received a referral for a blood test for parasites, you need to find out what it is called.If infection with helminths of various types is suspected, different tests are performed.