The human body is quite often inhabited by uninvited "guests" - helminths and single-celled organisms of various types.Most of them live in the intestines, but some prefer to be localized in the liver, brain and other organs, traveling through the circulatory system.
It is impossible to detect "new settlers" like 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 tests - Blood tests for parasites in a test tube, where the response to antibodies is determined - are considered the most reliable.In this way, you can identify: Giardia, Echinococcus, Trichinosis, Ascoridosis, Opisthorchiasis, Toxocariasis.
Who should seek medical help?
When colonizing the body, the parasite begins to feed on the beneficial substances entering it, reducing its reserves.
The following conditions are considered characteristic symptoms that indicate the presence of helminths in adults:
- Intestinal problems - intermittent diarrhea and constipation, cramps, increased bloating;
- Iron deficiency anemia with normal nutrition;
- conditions reminiscent of intoxication - muscle pain, sleep problems, rashes on the body;
- A night of grinding teeth, which is observed by others;
- fatigue, lethargy, weakness;
- Inability to get enough.
Malaise caused by body poisoning - intoxication caused by waste products of helminths and destructive individuals, which cannot always leave their natural habitat.Enzyme immunoassay for adults allows the identification of parasite markers.During that time, it was possible to see the actual amount of immunoglobulins and specific antibodies in the human body.
In addition, it is recommended to perform a PCR test - polymer chain reaction.It identifies the exact type of helminths.
You need to donate blood to identify the parasite, not just experience the unpleasant symptoms described above.It is recommended that adults be tested for parasites when planning pregnancy, before vaccination, and after completing treatment for helminthic infections to monitor the condition.
What test to take 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 test
If the patient feels unwell and it is desirable to make a diagnosis quickly, then a serological test is prescribed if helminth infection is suspected.
This rapid method is based on the type of reaction:
- antigen-antibodies;
- 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.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 results, but the latex agglutination test only takes 2.5 hours.
Elisa Immuno Assay
This test tube test is considered the most reliable.Research principles: Use of immunological principles, where antigens are associated with specific antibodies.Two components are evaluated - the enzyme response and the immune reflex.The immune reaction is a complex life cycle of cellular compounds, in 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 able to recognize foreign cellular compounds in the immune system.Antigens formed on the surface of "infected" cells do not coincide with what is present in a healthy state.The body tries to destroy new forms of antigens that do not match the already memory molecules.When tested, this process is clearly visible in the test tube.
When a "foreigner" is detected, antibodies are produced - molecules located on the surface of each immune cell.The antibody sends information to the cell nucleus, which triggers a complex mechanism - the connection with the antigen is broken, the cell is released.Antibodies are designated by symbols - IGA, IgD, IgG, IgE and IgM.
Blood sampling occurs 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 taken into a clean test tube in the laboratory from an adult 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 take antibacterial drugs.
The analysis is presented in the form of a table:
- Negative results-JGA, JGG and JGM drops are negative-there is a minus sign (-) at the end;
- There is post-infection immunity or hypo-vaccination-this happens if you have recently undergone treatment-JGA and JGM (-), JGG (+);
- Acute process-JGG and JGA (-/+), JGM (+);
- Increased chronic process - all titers are positive;
- Chronic infection in remission-JGG and JGA (+/-), JGM (-);
- After recovery, the table will have one value - the JGM titer is negative (-).
General Blood Test
A general blood test from a finger prick is also a type of diagnosis that shows 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, blood granulocytic leukocytes.In the body, they are responsible for detecting foreign elements and combating the toxins they release.Eosinophils clean the blood and prevent pathological damage to living tissue.
Hemoscanning
Many helminths undergo developmental stages outside the intestine and migrate through the bloodstream throughout the body.Blood is drawn from the finger onto a glass slide and then placed under a microscope.
Then, for some time, laboratory technicians study the changes that occur in this drop of blood in real time.
You can find helvinth larvae inside and "spies" on their important activities and the development of helvinth from larvae.
Reliability is not as high as ELISA - 97, 98% and 90% - but with the correct collection of biomaterial, the type of parasite, the level of antibody production can be determined and special drugs can be prescribed.
Medicines against Helminthiasis have many side effects, so it is very important to determine the type of helminths in order to prescribe specific drugs.
Blood test for parasites - pros and cons
The doctor determines the type of examination chosen to identify enterobiasis.
Benefits of blood tests:
- When collecting feces, you may not reach the period of the life cycle where the worm eggs are released from the body;
- Test results do not depend on human factors - qualifications of laboratory assistants;
- Not only the qualitative state of the body is assessed, but also the degree of infection - the amount of antibodies produced is determined.
Disadvantages of Evaluating Helminthic Infections Using Blood Tests:
- Lack of availability and high cost of testing;
- Special equipment is required;
- You have to wait up to 7 days for the result.
After receiving a referral for a blood test for parasites, you need to know what it is called.If infection with helminths of various types is suspected, different tests are performed.