In the human body, many types of helminths can parasitize, so there are different tests for detecting them. Each diagnostic event has its own reliability percentage and is distinguished by certain characteristics of the implementation.
In the human body, many types of helminths can parasitize, so there are different tests for detecting them. Each diagnostic event has its own reliability percentage and is distinguished by certain characteristics of the implementation.
Fortunately, unique techniques have been developed to detect parasitic infestation at an early stage and start treatment in time.
What tests will have to pass to detect the worms?
To determine the presence of parasites, one analysis is not always enough, because at different stages of development, worms manifest themselves in their own way.
We distinguish the main types of analysis:
- Preventive. Allow the rapid detection of helminthiasis. It can be done even in the absence of typical symptoms. It is recommended to conduct the study annually.
- Barrier. Reduce the risk of spreading parasites within the population. It is considered mandatory when obtaining a medical record.
- By doctor's order. Analyzes are carried out if there are characteristic signs of helminthic invasion: nausea, itching in the anus, pain in the abdomen and fatigue.
To accurately determine the presence of worms, you will need to pass several tests. Moreover, some of them pass several times.
Fecal analysis for parasites
Fecal analysis is the simplest analysis that is carried out in any district clinic. The results show the presence of worm eggs in the stool. It is in it that the eggs of helminths are contained.
Mature individuals can lay thousands of eggs per day. Some of them spread through the blood throughout the body. But, fortunately, most come out naturally.
For the analysis to be reliable, it is necessary:
- You have to pass up to 3 times. Indeed, the risk of egg ingestion by a healthy person is high, although this does not mean that they will immediately become infected.
- Kal is administered at a time interval of 7 days.
- Faeces are collected from different sites.
It is not necessary to collect the material in the morning, it can be done in the evening, but it can not be stored for more than a day and in a cold place.
If a large number of eggs are detected during the study, another analysis is not necessary.
Complete blood count to detect worms
Such a study is known to everyone from childhood. Basically, blood is taken from a finger, but sometimes from a vein. Research will quickly determine the cause of any disease.
Usually a person does not suspect that he has worms. Therefore, it is important for the doctor to know the characteristic symptoms of the infection.
This analysis is able to:
- Determine the cause of the symptoms.
- Detect the presence of parasites in the blood.
- Confirm the presence of other pathologies.
There is a misconception that helminths live only in the gastrointestinal tract. In fact, many species, having entered the stomach, then seep into the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. This is not without serious consequences. Parasites leave a trace, which doctors reveal in the blood.
hemotest
Finding information about this study is not easy, and the term itself is unfamiliar to many. In fact, for the patient, this is a blood donation procedure for a general analysis. Differences in the laboratory studies themselves.
The task of the hemotest:
- Determination of the immunity of any produced by the body.
- What is their reaction.
Basically, this study is prescribed by a doctor. Hemotest is able to detect parasites that could not be detected in any other way. This study is considered the most reliable.
Various manipulations are performed on the blood taken from the patient. It is affected by biological and chemical substances, observing the reaction. It is different, and some indicate the presence of helminths.
Such a test is quite complicated and is not carried out in all clinics. The result is known after 2 to 5 days. In the presence of parasites, the test will give a positive reaction.
PCR analysis for worm detection
This diagnosis is considered an accurate and modern method of research. PCR analysis is able to detect the presence of bacteria, intracellular parasites and viruses. Blood and other bodily fluids are collected for analysis. If the presence of worms is suspected, feces are used for research.
The detection of even a few parasitic DNA fragments in the biomaterial indicates a helminthic invasion. The PCR analysis is quite simple, the result is known after a few hours. This is facilitated by the use of special equipment. With this test, you cannot do much additional research, but quickly get the desired result.
Unfortunately, not all clinics have such equipment, and the cost of this analysis is quite high.
ELISA blood test for worm detection
The most popular and reliable analysis today, experts call it enzyme immunoassay for parasites.
The main objective of this high precision laboratory method is to detect antibodies against a particular type of parasite in the blood. Immunoglobulins (also called antibodies) are a natural reaction of the immune system and are intended to neutralize the negative agent.
An enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) shows a change in antibodies in the blood. The study is ideal for identifying parasites.
It is broken down into 2 steps:
- immune system response. Can bind molecules, microorganisms and cellular elements to be detected.
- enzymatic reaction. You can visually assess the results of the reaction.
Serological blood test
Using this laboratory method, infectious diseases are detected, as well as the phases of their development.
This test allows:
- Determine the patient's immune status. When infected with parasites, the immune system is significantly weakened.
- Detects the presence in the blood of bacteria that caused a decrease in immunity.
By the way, this study is used to determine the blood group.
Giardia blood test
This analysis is considered the highest quality. It consists of an enzyme immunoassay. The analysis determines the density of antibodies against worms of a given species.
When infected, IgM antibodies appear in the blood, and after 2 weeks - IgA and IgG.
Study results show up to 95% Giardia infection.
This analysis is also prescribed to assess the effectiveness of treatment. If the number of parasites decreases, the recovery method is chosen correctly.
scraping
A smear is taken to diagnose enterobiasis, that is, the presence of pinworms in the body.
Scraping is done as follows:
- Using a special spatula or an ordinary cotton swab.
- Use of adhesive tape.
This test is considered more effective than a regular stool test. It can be done independently or in the clinic. You need to take a cotton swab or tape and make a smear in the anus.
Do not wash before the procedure. If the scraping is done at home, a spatula or adhesive tape (glued to the glass) is placed in an airtight container and brought to the laboratory. For a more accurate result, the analysis is given several times.
When and where should I be tested for worms?
Parasite analyzes should be done with obvious symptoms of helminthic invasion: With asthenia, digestive problems, sudden weight loss and dermatological diseases. Also, the diagnosis of the presence of helminths is necessary in situations where a person has been treated for a long time for a chronic disease and recovery does not occur. Often the pathology is not caused by physiological problems, but by the presence of parasites in the body.
Testing is mandatory for the following symptoms:
- Itching in the anus.
- Dysbacteriosis.
- Abundant salivation.
- Pale skin.
- Urinary incontinence.
- Constipation turning into diarrhoea.
- Pain in the abdomen of various localizations.
- In women, the menstrual cycle is disturbed.
The analysis is given:
- at the district clinic.
- In a medical research laboratory.
- In a private clinic.
The main thing is that the medical institution has the necessary equipment and qualified personnel.
What tests are done to detect parasites?
Basically, one analysis is enough to detect worms in the body.
Recommended:
- Pass cal.
- Do a scratch.
Verification of these analyzes is carried out quickly. In most cases, they are sufficient to identify the parasites. Sometimes a blood test is prescribed, but this procedure is more complicated, painful and expensive.
The interpretation of the results is carried out by the attending physician. Based on the indicators, the specialist makes the final diagnosis and selects a therapeutic program.
Preparing for tests to detect worms
It should be noted that no particular training is required. But there are some guidelines and limitations.
They are the following:
- Before passing the analysis, it is necessary to eat mainly light foods or completely refuse them.
- You should stop taking the medicine 3 days before the test. Some components of the drugs can distort the result of the study.
Be sure to tell the doctor about existing diseases. This also applies to overpressure, possible fainting and weak blood clotting.
Anyone who cares about their health should be checked for the presence of worms. Helminthiasis is considered a dangerous disease. Worms absorb substances necessary for the human body and release toxins. Therefore, it is desirable to identify pests in a timely manner so that they do not have time to cause serious harm to health.