The human body is often inhabited by uninvited “guests”: helminths and single-celled organisms of various types.Most live in the intestines, but there are also those who prefer to live in the liver, brain and other organs, moving through the circulatory system.
It is impossible to detect these "new colonists" in the stool.To identify them, it is necessary to perform 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.In this way you can identify: Giardia, Echinococcus, trichinosis, ascoridosis, opisthorchiasis, toxocariasis.
Who needs to seek medical help?
Upon colonizing the body, parasites begin to feed on the beneficial substances that enter it, depleting its reserves.
Characteristic symptoms indicating the presence of helminths in adults are considered to be the following conditions:
- intestinal problems: alternating diarrhea and constipation, cramps, increased flatulence;
- iron deficiency anemia with normal nutrition;
- a condition reminiscent of poisoning: muscle pain, sleeping problems, rashes on the body;
- grinding your teeth at night, which others notice;
- fatigue, lethargy, weakness;
- inability to get enough.
The discomfort is caused by poisoning of the body: poisoning 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 parasite markers.During it, it is possible to see the exact amount of immunoglobulins and specific antibodies in the human body.
Additionally, it is recommended to perform a PCR test - polymer chain reaction.Identify the exact types of helminths.
It is necessary to donate blood to identify parasites and not just experience the unpleasant symptoms described above.It is recommended that adults undergo parasite testing when planning pregnancy, before vaccinations, and after completing treatment against helminthic infections to monitor the situation.
The treating doctor decides what tests should be performed to detect parasites in adults.It is expensive to carry out all the tests in a row: they are paid.
SEROLOGICAL TESTS
If the patient is not feeling well and it is desirable to make a diagnosis quickly, serological tests are prescribed if a helminth infection is suspected.
These quick methods are based on the types of reactions:
- antigen-antibody;
- latex agglutination;
- immunofluorescence;
- Indirect hemagglutination.
Blood is drawn from a vein, on an empty stomach, but not with a syringe, but with an open test tube.The research is carried out in vitro, introducing suitable reagents into the biomaterial.
ELISA in blood is a serological test.
You have to wait a week to get the results, but the latex agglutination test only takes 2.5 hours.
ELISA IMMUNOASSAY
This test tube test is considered the most reliable.Principles of the study: the use of the basic concepts of immunology, during which an antigen is associated 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 antigens 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 match that present in a healthy one.The body attempts 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 "foreign" is detected, an antibody is produced, a molecule found on the surface of each immune cell.The antibody transmits information to the nucleus of the cell, which triggers a complex mechanism: the connection with the antigen is broken and 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 should be done in the morning;the interval after the last meal should be at least 8 hours;
- in a clean test tube in the laboratory, up to 5 ml of adult blood is removed from the cubital vein;
- In newborns, the biomaterial is removed from the placenta or umbilical cord.
The day before the test, it is advisable to stop drinking carbonated drinks, 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 immunity or hypovaccination;This happens if you have recently received treatment: JgA and JgM (-), JgG (+);
- acute process – JgG and JgA (-/+), JgM (+);
- exacerbation of a chronic process: all titles are positive;
- chronic infection in remission – JgG and JgA (+/-), JgM (-);
- upon recovery, the table will have one value: the JgM title is negative (-).
GENERAL BLOOD TESTS
A general blood test using a finger prick is also a type of diagnosis indicating enterobiasis.Blood is donated in the same way as during a regular exam, 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.
HEMOSCAN
Many helminths go through stages of development outside the intestines and migrate through the bloodstream throughout the body.Blood is drawn from a finger, placed on a glass slide, and then placed under a microscope.
Then, for a while, laboratory technicians study in real time what changes occur in this 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 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 prescribed.
Anti-helminth medications have many side effects, so it is extremely important to determine the type of helminths in order to prescribe specialized medications.
BLOOD TEST FOR PARASITES – PROS AND CONS
The doctor determines what type of examination to choose to identify enterobiasis.
Benefits of blood tests:
- when collecting feces, the period of the life cycle during which worm eggs are released from the body may not be reached;
- 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 number of antibodies produced is determined.
Disadvantages of testing for helminth infection using blood tests:
- lower availability and high cost of tests;
- special equipment required;
- You have to wait up to 7 days to get results.
After receiving a referral for a blood test for parasites, you need to find out what it is called.If helminth infection of various types is suspected, different tests are performed.