Parasites are microorganisms that live and feed on other organisms.Parasites often cause harm to the host.It is customary to subdivide parasites into species such as zooparasites and plant parasites.Zooparasites include protozoa, helminths, arachnids, insects and others.Plant parasites include bacteria, fungi, some higher plants and others.
Viruses are also parasites.In most cases, to survive, parasites need to exchange two or three hosts, which causes the organism to become exhausted and weakened.They often lead to the death of the owners.Most parasites are the causative agents of many human diseases.In medical terminology, parasites include any creatures that lead a parasitic lifestyle.The exceptions are bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Diagnosis of parasites in humans
There are several human diseases caused by parasites such as protozoa, parasitic worms, arthropods and pathogenic microorganisms.Protozoan parasites include amoebas, leishmania, lamblia, plasmodium, trypanosomes, balantids, pneumocystis, toxoplasmia and others.For parasitic worms - helminths.Arthropods include insects and mites.And pathogenic microorganisms include bacteria and spirochetes that parasitize ticks, fleas, lice, pathogenic fungi and viruses.
The main objective of parasites is to hide their existence.In other words, they live unnoticed in the host's body.Testing for parasites involves observing their release (amoebas, segments, worms, pinworms) or the products of parasite reproduction (eggs, protozoan cysts).The diagnosis is made in feces, urine, sputum or tissue from the human body (blood and lymph nodes).
We highlight a list of studies that are used for this:
- histological coprogram;
- histological analysis;
- immunological (serological) tests;
- microscopy (hemoscanning);
- electroacupuncture methods (ART - vegetative resonance test).
Analysis using the histological coprogram method involves diagnosing thin sections of a stool sample using optical systems.It allows you to clearly identify parts of the body of helminths, their eggs and the membranes (cuticles) of the larvae.Thus, helminthiasis is detected.An additional feature of this method is to determine the type of parasite found.
More effective is a serological blood test, which detects antibodies against helminths.This method is also called immunological (serological) testing.The essence of the test is to use several sets of chemical reagents and markers.They are used to identify certain types of antibodies and parasite antigens in human blood.Immunological tests are only performed in medical laboratories.
Microscopic analysis is based on the use of dark-field, fluorescent and electron microscopes.This diagnosis allows you to study living or fixed microscopic objects, as well as cellular and subcellular structures.
The electroacupuncture method is based on the use of special devices to identify basic data about the state of human health.This method examines different areas of the skin.
Histological analysis is a common method for examining feces for parasites of various types.In most cases, it is used to determine helminthic infestations in human biomaterials.It can be performed for adults and children.
Hemoscanning (blood test) allows you to determine the state of the main elements of the blood and the purity of its plasma.When doing a parasite test based on this method, the blood is not processed (that is, it is not dried or stained).Its study is carried out using a microscope connected to a video camera.Then, the sample of the material under study is magnified under a microscope 1,800 to 2,000 times.At this time, the monitor transmits the resulting image, and also provides the opportunity to take photos or record videos.Hemoscanning allows you to obtain data on the state of the immune system and its activity, in addition to identifying the presence of bacteria, fungi and helminth larvae.
The VRT (vegetative resonance test) is based on the phenomenon of biological resonance that forms between the drug and the human body.Such a drug acts as a carrier of information about the frequencies of various types of parasites.In 1989, all frequency data for various parasites, fungi and viruses were discovered and recorded.It is this type of research that provides the opportunity to assess a person's condition at a specific time.That is, to establish the level of immune system disorders, as well as viral and bacterial loads in the human body, remove toxins, reduce the body's reactions to various antigens and allergens and much more.
In the laboratory where the analysis is carried out using the ART method, special attention is paid to determining the level of eosinophils.It is your overestimated indicator that indicates the presence of allergic reactions caused by parasitic infestations.Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that can detoxify bacteria.They participate in allergic processes in the human body and can be stained with acidic dyes.In other words, eosinophils are markers of parasitic invasions in the normal state of human immunity.
Parasite analysis – which is better?
There are many types of exams and the best one is determined by the attending physician.The most commonly used tests are blood and stool tests to detect various types of parasites.Among blood tests for parasites, the following types can be distinguished:
- blood test for Giardia;
- blood test for opisthorchiasis pathogens (detection of IgG antibodies);
- blood test for echinococcal pathogens;
- blood test for toxocariasis pathogens;
- blood test for trichinosis pathogens;
- blood test for ascariasis pathogens.
The material for research in all of the above methods is blood, which is taken from a vein.
The research material for identifying helminths is feces.Because it is more frequent and easier to detect them there.
Who needs to take the test?
A blood test for parasites is offered to patients who complain of a decrease in general health.As we know, there are hundreds of families that parasitize the human body.Many of them produce toxins that poison the blood.Some reduce the amount of nutrients.And at the same time, diseases that occur as a result of the vital activity of parasites are difficult to identify.Because the symptoms are similar to the manifestations of many diseases.A blood test allows you to determine the amount of specific antibodies and immunoglobulins in the human body.They are the ones who act as parasite markers.
In many cases, blood diagnostics is additionally carried out using the PCR method (polymerase chain reaction).This study is considered effective and reliable.Its main advantage is the ability to identify many types of diseases at a time when other diagnostics are powerless.
It is also recommended to have a blood test to detect parasites in preparation for vaccination, during pregnancy and after completing a course of antiparasitic therapy.This analysis must be done several times (immediately after treatment and after one to three months).