The human body is often inhabited by uninvited "guests" - helminths and various types of unicellular organisms.Most of them live in the intestines, but there are also those that prefer to be located in the liver, brain and other organs, moving along 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 tests 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, trichinellosis, ascoridosis, opisthorchiasis, toxocariasis.
Who should seek medical attention?
When they colonize the body, the parasites begin to feed on the useful 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, spasms, increased gas production;
- iron deficiency anemia with normal nutrition;
- a condition reminiscent of intoxication - muscle pain, sleep problems, rashes on the body;
- nighttime teeth grinding that is noticeable to others;
- fatigue, lethargy, weakness;
- inability to get enough.
The malaise is caused by poisoning the body - intoxication is caused by waste products of helminths and decomposing individuals that cannot always leave their natural habitat.Enzyme immunoassay for adults allows 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.It determines the exact types of helminths.
You should donate blood to identify parasites and not just experience the unpleasant symptoms described above.It is recommended that adults be examined for parasites when planning pregnancy, before vaccinations and after completing treatment for helminth 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 STUDIES
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 the vein, on an empty stomach, but not in a syringe, but in an open tube.The study is performed in vitro by introducing appropriate reagents into the biomaterial.
A 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 IMMUNOTEST
This test tube test is considered the most reliable.Principles of the study: the use of the basics of immunology, in which the antigen binds to specific antibodies.Two components are evaluated - the enzyme reaction and the immune reflex.The 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 have no copies.
Antigens are capable of recognizing foreign cellular compounds in the immune system.The antigen formed on the surface of the "infected" cell does not match what is present in the 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 found 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 denoted by the symbols - IgA, IgD, IgG, IgE and IgM.
Blood sampling is carried out according to the following algorithm:
- The analysis should 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 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 tabular form:
- negative result – titers 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 (-);
- upon recovery, the table will have one value - the JgM titer is negative (-).
GENERAL BLOOD TEST
A finger prick general blood test is also a type of diagnosis that indicates enterobiosis.Blood is donated in the same way as during a regular examination - preferably on an empty stomach.If eosinophils rise above 20%, we can conclude that there are helminths in the body and continue the examination.
Eosinophils are growth cells of leukocytes, 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.
CHEMOSCANNING
Many helminths pass developmental stages outside the intestine and migrate through the bloodstream throughout the body.Blood is drawn from a finger on a glass slide and then placed under a microscope.
After that, for a while, lab technicians study what changes occur in that drop of blood in real time.
In it you can find helminth larvae and "spy" on their vital activity and the development of the helminth from the larva.
Reliability is not as high as with ELISA - 97, 98% and 90%, but with the correct collection of biomaterial, the type of parasites, the level of antibody production can be determined and special drugs 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 research to choose to identify enterobiosis.
Advantages of the blood test:
- when you collect feces, you may not reach the period of the life cycle during which the eggs of the worms are released from the body;
- The results of the research do not depend on the human factor - the qualification of the laboratory technician;
- Not only the qualitative state of the body is evaluated, but also the level of infection - the amount of produced antibodies is determined.
Disadvantages of assessment of helminth infection by blood tests:
- less availability and high cost of testing;
- special equipment is required;
- You have to wait up to 7 days for results.
Once you've received a referral for a parasite blood test, you need to find out what it's called.When infection with different types of helminths is suspected, different tests are performed.