The human body is often inhabited by unwanted “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 these “new colonists” in feces.To identify them, you need to take a blood test to detect parasites.
Currently, the following types of tests have 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.This way it is possible to identify: Giardia, Echinococcus, trichinosis, ascoridosis, opisthorchiasis, toxocariasis.
Who needs to seek medical help?
When colonizing the body, the parasites begin to feed on the beneficial substances that enter it, depleting their reserves.
The following conditions are considered characteristic symptoms indicating the presence of helminths in adults:
- intestinal problems - alternation of diarrhea and constipation, colic, increased flatulence;
- iron deficiency anemia with normal nutrition;
- a condition resembling intoxication - muscle pain, sleep problems, rashes on the body;
- nighttime teeth grinding, which is noticed by other people;
- fatigue, lethargy, weakness;
- inability to get enough.
The malaise is caused by poisoning the body - intoxication is caused by residues 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 immunoglobulins and specific 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, not just experience the unpleasant symptoms described above.It is recommended that adults be tested for parasites during pregnancy planning, before vaccinations and after completing treatment for helminthic infections, to monitor the situation.
Which tests should be done for parasites in adults is decided by the attending physician.It's expensive to do all the tests in a row - they are paid for.
SEROLOGICAL TESTS
If the patient feels unwell and it is desirable to make a diagnosis quickly, serological tests will be prescribed if helminth infection is suspected.
These quick 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.
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 IMMUNE ASSAY
This test tube test is considered the most reliable.Principles of the study: use of the fundamentals of immunology, during which an antigen associates with specific antibodies.Two components are evaluated - the enzymatic reaction and the immunological 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 match what is present on a healthy cell.The body attempts to destroy a new form of antigen that does not match the molecule already stored in memory.When tested, this process is clearly visible in a test tube.
When a “foreign” is detected, an antibody is produced – a molecule that is located on the surface of each immune cell.The antibody transmits information to the cell nucleus, which triggers a complex mechanism - the bond with the antigen is broken, the cell is released.Antibodies are designated by the symbols – IgA, IgD, IgG, IgE and IgM.
Blood sampling takes place according to the following algorithm:
- The analysis must be done in the morning – the interval after the last meal must be at least 8 hours;
- up to 5 ml of blood is collected in a clean test tube in the adult laboratory 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 soda, alcohol and taking antibacterial medications.
The analysis is presented in table form:
- negative result – the titles of JgA, JgG and JgM are negative – there is a minus sign (-) at the end;
- there is post-infectious or hypovaccinal 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 - JgM title 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 leukocyte growth cells, granulocytic leukocytes of the blood.In the body, they are responsible for detecting foreign elements and combating the toxins they release.Eosinophils purify the blood and prevent pathological damage to living tissues.
HEMOSCANNING
Many helminths go through developmental stages outside the intestines and migrate through the bloodstream throughout the body.Blood is collected 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 that 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 in ELISA - 97, 98% and 90% - but with proper collection of biomaterial, the type of parasite, the level of antibody production can be determined and special medications can be prescribed.
Medicines against helminthiasis have many side effects, therefore it is extremely important to determine the type of helminths in order to prescribe specialized medicines.
BLOOD TESTS FOR PARASITES – PROS AND CONS
The doctor determines which type of test to choose to identify enterobiasis.
Benefits of the blood test:
- when collecting feces, you may not reach the period of the life cycle during which worm eggs are released from the body;
- 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 evaluating helminthic infection through blood tests:
- lower availability and high cost 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 infection with helminths of various types is suspected, different tests are carried out.