The human body is often inhabited by uninvited "guests" - helminths and single-celled organisms of various types.Most of them live in the intestines, but there are also species that prefer to settle in the liver, brain and other organs, moving through the circulatory system.
Such “new settlers” cannot be detected in feces.To identify them, you need to do a blood test for parasites.
Currently, the following types of tests have been developed:
- serological tests;
- enzyme immunoassay;
- blood scan – microscope;
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 determine: Giardia, Echinococcus, trichinosis, ascorridosis, opisthorchiasis, toxocarosis.
Who should seek medical help?
When invading the body, the parasite begins to feed on beneficial substances that enter the body, depleting its reserves.
The following conditions are considered characteristic symptoms indicating the presence of helminths in adults:
- intestinal problems - alternating diarrhea and constipation, cramps, bloating;
- iron deficiency anemia with normal nutrition;
- condition reminiscent of intoxication - muscle pain, difficulty sleeping, rash on the body;
- teeth grinding at night, attracting attention from others;
- fatigue, lethargy, weakness;
- can't afford to have enough.
The unpleasant condition is caused by poisoning of the body - intoxication is caused by the waste of helminths and decomposing individuals, which are not always able to leave their habitat naturally.Adult enzyme immunoassay allows identification of parasitic markers.During that time, the exact amount of immunoglobulins and specific antibodies in the human body can be seen.
In addition, a PCR - polymer chain reaction test should be performed.It accurately identifies the types of helminths.
You need to donate blood to identify parasites, not just to experience unpleasant symptoms as described above.Adults should be tested for parasites when planning pregnancy, before vaccination, and after completing treatment for helminth infections to monitor the situation.
What tests need to be performed to find parasites in adults is decided by the attending physician.It would be very expensive to take all the tests in a row - they are paid.
Serological TESTS
If the patient feels unwell and wants a quick diagnosis, serological testing will be ordered if helminth infection is suspected.
These quick methods are based on reaction types:
- antigen-antibody;
- pus accumulation;
- immunofluorescence;
- indirect hemagglutination.
Blood is taken from a vein, on an empty stomach, but not into a syringe, but into an open test tube.The study was performed in vitro, introducing appropriate reagents into the biological material.
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 IMMUNOLOGY TEST
This test tube test is considered the most reliable.Research principle: uses basic knowledge of immunology, in which antigens are linked to specific antibodies.Two components are evaluated - enzyme reactions and immune responses.The immune response is a complex life cycle of cellular compounds in which antigens and antibodies bind to each other.
Antigens are structures that carry information about cells;they are personal to each person and there are no duplicates.
Antigens have the ability to recognize foreign cellular compounds in the immune system.Antigens formed on the surface of “infected” cells do not match the antigens present in healthy cells.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.Antibodies transmit information to the cell nucleus, activating 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 occurs according to the following algorithm:
- The analysis must be carried out in the morning - the period after the last meal is at least 8 hours;
- Up to 5 ml of blood was collected in a clean laboratory tube from an adult from the ulnar vein;
- In newborns, biological material is collected from the placenta or umbilical cord.
One day before the test, you should stop drinking carbonated drinks, alcohol and take antibacterial drugs.
The analysis is presented in table form:
- negative result – titers of JgA, JgG and JgM are all negative – with a minus sign (-) at the end;
- there is immunity after infection or reduced vaccination - this happens if you have just undergone treatment - JgA and JgM (-), JgG (+);
- acute process – JgG and JgA (-/+), JgM (+);
- exacerbation of the chronic process – all titers were 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 general blood test from a finger prick is also a type of diagnosis that indicates intestinal disease.Blood is donated in the same way as during a routine medical examination - preferably on an empty stomach.If eosinophils increase above 20%, we can conclude that the body has helminths and continue testing.
Eosinophils are cells that grow white blood cells and granulocytes of the blood.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.
EXAMINATION OF BLOOD
Many types of helminths go through stages of development outside the intestines and travel through the bloodstream throughout the body.Blood is taken from the finger onto a glass slide and then placed under a microscope.
Then, over a period of time, lab technicians will study the changes occurring in this drop of blood in real time.
You can find helminth larvae in it and "monitor" their vital activity as well as the development of helminths from larvae.
Reliability is not as high as ELISA - 97, 98% and 90% - but with the appropriate collection of biological material, the type of parasite, the level of antibody production can be determined and special drugs can be prescribed.
Medicines to treat helminths have many side effects, so it is extremely important to determine the type of helminth to prescribe specific medicine.
BLOOD TEST TO FIND ANIMALS – ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
The doctor determines which type of examination will be chosen to determine enterobosis.
Benefits of blood tests:
- when collecting feces, you may not reach the stage of the life cycle where worm eggs are excreted from the body;
- Test results do not depend on human factors - the expertise of the laboratory assistant;
- Not only the qualitative condition of the body is assessed, but also the degree of infection is determined - the amount of antibodies produced.
Disadvantages of assessing helminth infection with blood tests:
- lower availability and high testing costs;
- special equipment is 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 infections of different types are suspected, different tests will be performed.