The human body is quite often inhabited by uninvited "guests" - helminths and unicellular organisms of various types.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 through the circulatory system.
It is impossible to detect such "new residents" in feces.To identify them, you need to do a blood test for parasites.
Currently, the following types of testing have been developed:
- serological tests;
- enzyme immunoassay;
- hemoscan - 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 they colonize the body, the parasites begin to feed on the useful substances that enter it, depleting its reserves.
The following conditions are considered characteristic symptoms indicating the presence of helminths in adults:
- intestinal problems - alternating diarrhea and constipation, cramping, increased bloating;
- iron deficiency anemia with normal food;
- a state reminiscent of intoxication - muscle pain, sleep problems, body rash;
- grinding of teeth at night, which is noticed by others;
- fatigue, lethargy, weakness;
- inability to get enough.
The disease is caused by poisoning the body - intoxication is caused by the waste products of helminths and decaying individuals, which cannot always leave their natural habitat.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.
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 just experiencing the unpleasant symptoms described above.It is recommended that adults be tested for parasites during pregnancy planning, before vaccinations and after completion of treatment for helminthic infections to monitor the situation.
Which tests should be done 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 does not feel well 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 in a syringe, but in 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 IMMUNO ASIA
This test tube test is considered the most reliable.Study principles: using the basics of immunology, during which an antigen is associated with specific antibodies.Two components are evaluated - the enzymatic reaction and the immune reflex.An immune reaction is a complex life cycle of cellular compounds during which antigen and antibody 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 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 "foreigner" is detected, an antibody is produced - a molecule located on the surface of every 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 is performed 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 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 the form of a table:
- negative result - the titers of JgA, JgG and JgM are negative - there is a minus sign (-) at the end;
- there is immunity after infection or hypo-vaccination - this happens if you recently underwent treatment - JgA and JgM (-), JgG (+);
- acute process – JgG and JgA (-/+), JgM (+);
- worsening of a chronic process - all titers are positive;
- chronic infection in remission – JgG and JgA (+/-), JgM (-);
- after recovery, the table will have a 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 is poison in the body and continue the examination.
Eosinophils are leukocyte growth cells, granulocytic blood leukocytes.In the body, they are responsible for detecting foreign elements and fighting the toxins they release.Eosinophils clean the blood and prevent pathological damage to living tissues.
HEMOSCAN
Many helminths undergo developmental stages outside the gut and migrate through the bloodstream throughout the body.Blood is drawn from a finger on 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.
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.
Drugs against helminthiasis have many side effects, therefore 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 analysis:
- when collecting feces, you may not reach the period of the life cycle during which the 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 evaluated, 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.
Once you have received a referral for a parasite blood test, you should find out what it is called.If infection with helminths of various types is suspected, various tests are performed.