The human body is often inhabited by uninvited guests - worms and various types of single-celled organisms.Most of them inhabit the intestines, but some prefer to reside in the liver, brain, and other organs, moving through the circulatory system.
It is impossible to detect such "new settlers" in feces.To identify them, you'll need a blood test for parasites.
Currently, the following types of tests have been developed:
- serological testing;
- Enzyme-linked immunoassay;
- Blood scan-microscopic examination;
Serological testing - a blood test for the parasite in a test tube that determines the response to antibodies - is considered the most reliable.In this way you can identify: giardiasis, echinococcosis, trichinellosis, ascariasis, opiosiosis, toxocariasis.
Who needs to seek medical help?
When parasites colonize the body, they begin to feed on beneficial substances entering the body, depleting the body's reserves.
The following conditions are considered characteristic symptoms of the presence of worms in adults:
- Intestinal problems - alternating diarrhea and constipation, cramping, increased gas;
- Normal nutritional iron deficiency anemia;
- Symptoms reminiscent of poisoning—muscle pain, sleep problems, rashes on the body;
- Teeth grinding at night, noticed by others;
- Fatigue, drowsiness, weakness;
- Can't get enough.
The discomfort is caused by poisoning of the body - poisoning caused by the waste products of worms and decaying individuals, which never naturally leave their habitat.Adult enzyme immunoassays can identify parasitic markers.During this process, the exact amounts of specific immunoglobulins and antibodies in the body can be seen.
In addition, it is recommended to do PCR test-polymer chain reaction.It can identify the exact type of worm.
You need to donate blood to identify the parasite, not just experience the unpleasant symptoms mentioned above.Adults are recommended to monitor the situation with parasite testing when planning a pregnancy, before vaccination, and after completing treatment for worm infections.
It is up to the attending physician to decide which parasite tests should be performed in adults.It is expensive to take all the tests in a row - they are paid.
serology test
If the patient is feeling unwell and a quick diagnosis is required, serology is performed if helminth infection is suspected.
These quick methods are based on reaction types:
- Antigens and antibodies;
- latex agglutination;
- Immunofluorescence;
- Indirect hemagglutination.
Blood is drawn from a vein on an empty stomach, but not into a syringe but into an open test tube.Research is performed in vitro, introducing appropriate reagents into biological materials.
Blood ELISA is a serological test.
You need to wait a week for results, but the latex agglutination test only takes 2.5 hours.
Enzyme-linked immunoassay
This test tube test is considered the most reliable.Research principle: Use basic knowledge of immunology to associate antigens with specific antibodies.Two components are assessed - enzymatic responses and immune reflexes.An immune response 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 to each person and there are no copies.
Antigens recognize foreign cellular compounds in the immune system.The antigens formed on the surface of "infected" cells are inconsistent with those present on healthy cells.The body attempts to destroy a new form of antigen that does not match the molecule already in memory.When tested, this process was clearly visible in the test tube.
When a "stranger" is detected, antibodies are produced - molecules that sit on the surface of every immune cell.The antibody transmits information to the cell's nucleus, triggering a complex mechanism—the connection to the antigen is broken and the cell is released.Antibodies are represented by symbols - IgA, IgD, IgG, IgE and IgM.
Blood sampling is performed according to the following algorithm:
- The analysis must be carried out in the morning - the time interval from the last meal should be at least 8 hours;
- Draw up to 5 ml of blood from the cubital vein of an adult into a clean test tube in the laboratory;
- In newborns, biological material is collected from the placenta or umbilical cord.
You should stop drinking carbonated drinks, alcohol and taking antibiotics the day before the examination.
The analysis is presented in tabular form:
- Negative results - JgA, JgG, JgM titers are all negative - there is a minus sign (-) at the end;
- Presence of post-infectious or insufficient vaccination immunity - this occurs if you have recently been treated - JgA and JgM (-), JgG (+);
- Acute course – JgG and JgA (-/+), JgM (+);
- Exacerbation of chronic process—all titers positive;
- Chronic infection in remission – JgG and JgA (+/-), JgM (-);
- After recovery, the table will have a value - JgM titer is negative (-).
General blood tests
A general blood test from a finger prick is also a diagnostic type that indicates pinworms.The method of donating blood is the same as during routine examination, and it is best to donate blood on an empty stomach.If the number of eosinophils increases by more than 20%, it can be concluded that there are parasites in the body and the examination will continue.
Eosinophils are cells that grow on white blood cells, the granulocytes white blood cells in 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 tissue.
blood scan
Many worms undergo developmental stages outside the intestines and migrate throughout the body via the bloodstream.Blood is drawn from a finger onto a slide and placed under a microscope.
Then, over a period of time, lab technicians study what happens to that drop of blood in real time.
You can find worm larvae inside and "peep" their life activities and worm development from the larvae.
The reliability is not as high as ELISA - 97%, 98% and 90% - but with the correct collection of biological material, type of parasite, level of antibody production, specific drugs can be identified and prescribed.
Medications used to treat helminthiasis have many side effects, so it is important to identify the type of worms to prescribe specialized medications.
Parasite Blood Test – Advantages and Disadvantages
Your doctor decides which type of test to choose to identify pinworms.
Benefits of blood testing:
- When collecting feces, you may not have reached the stage of the life cycle when the eggs are released from the body;
- Test results do not depend on human factors—the qualifications of the lab assistant;
- Not only the quality status of the body is assessed, but the level of infection - the amount of antibodies produced - is determined.
Disadvantages of using blood tests to assess worm infection:
- lower availability and higher testing costs;
- Requires special equipment;
- You will have to wait up to 7 days for results.
After you receive a referral for a parasite blood test, you need to know what it is called.If infection with various types of worms is suspected, different tests are performed.