The symptoms of the presence of parasites in the body can often seem incoherent and inexplicable, and although this thought is frightening, they are more common than many believe. There are many organisms in the world - various types of worms, protozoa that can parasitize almost all internal organs of a person and cause symptoms of various diseases. What tests for parasites to take and when to do it, you can find out from this article.
When do I have to get tested?
Infection with parasitic diseases most often occurs when eating poorly washed vegetables and fruits, poorly processed meat, fish, raw water, as well as contact with the household when using common utensils, toys in children.
There are the following types of parasites:
- Protozoa (lamblia, amoeba, plasmodium malaria).
- Parasitic arthropods (demodex mites, scabies cause).
- Parasitic worms (helminths).
The most common parasitic diseases are caused by helminths (worms) and occur among small children, pet owners and socially disadvantaged people.
The main characteristic of parasites is their inconspicuous existence in the initial stages. They do not manifest in any way for a long time after the infection and cause severe symptoms at an advanced stage.
The presence of parasites in the body can be recognized by the following manifestations:
- Flatulence, gas, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, bowel pain.
- Decreased or increased appetite, discomfort after eating.
- Unmotivated weight loss.
- Itchy skin, incomprehensible rash, dermatitis, urticaria.
- Pale skin, increased fatigue, or diagnosed anemia (most commonly iron deficiency).
- Overwork, sleep disorders (drowsiness, insomnia).
- Brushing teeth in sleep, prolonged cough.
If these symptoms occur, you should consult a general practitioner and get tested for parasites.
What tests to pass on parasites
There are many studies that determine the presence of parasites (protozoa, arthropods, helminths) in the body.
Since the most common diseases are helminthiases, the best way to test for parasites is a stool test.
To conduct a standard study, the patient will need to collect three separate stool samples from different areas of the same part in a sterile container and deliver the biomaterial to the laboratory as soon as possible. The laboratory doctor examines the obtained samples under a microscope and can identify both live parasites and from the egg.
A standard study of feces on worm eggs is not always informative. Due to the peculiarities of the life cycle of the parasite, in the test sample, instead of eggs or an adult, there may be dead helminths or their fragments, which cannot be used to diagnose the disease.
Extended stool analysis, which uses a polymerase chain reaction, is more informative. This technology enables the detection of helminth DNA even if it is dead, in hibernation or only fragments of the organism have entered the examined material.
In order to be able to tell exactly whether there are parasites in the body or not, the test must be performed at least three times on different days. The accuracy of one study, according to statistics, is 50%, while in a triple study it increases to 99%.
Another, no less important analysis is serological reactions - determination of antibody levels to parasites. They can identify acute (IgM) and chronic or delayed helminthic invasion (IgG). They can also detect infection by parasites that cannot be found in the feces.
Some helminths parasitize in the bile ducts, and can also form cysts in the lungs, liver and brain. They can be suspected by appropriate clinical symptoms, and can be detected by serological tests, X-rays, CT or MRI, as well as by biopsy.
Specific tests (iodine) and serological tests are used to diagnose parasitic skin diseases (scabies, demodicosis, certain types of helminths), scraping and skin biopsy.
What tests should an adult take for parasites?
Adults are less likely to suffer from helminthiasis, because they follow the rules of personal hygiene more carefully, eat unwashed fruits and vegetables from the garden less often, and have less contact with street animals during games.
It is necessary to take tests for helminthiases for adults in the presence of certain nonspecific problems (upset stomach and intestines, prolonged itching of the skin, rash, weakness, fatigue, anemia), for all patients before admission to the hospital, and also regularly as part of a preventive study for certain categoriesworkers.
These include employees in the food industry, people who work with children (caregivers and nannies in kindergartens, teachers, sports section leaders). These individuals should definitely be tested for enterobiasis and ascariasis.
Hunters and farmers should be regularly examined for trichinosis and strongyloidiasis; it is important that fishermen undergo a serological examination to detect opisthorchiasis. More information on which tests should be performed in this or that case can be obtained from a therapist.
Which tests transmit parasites to the child
Every child should undergo a complete diagnosis in order to identify worms and prescribe effective therapy against them before attending kindergarten and primary school (upon admission, after a long break or illness). Also, in preschool institutions and schools, there are mandatory regular preventive examinations to detect helminthic infections in the early stages and prevent their spread.
To diagnose helminthiasis, children should take a general analysis of feces as well as scrapings from the perianal folds.
Scraping has been recognized as the most effective and accurate method for diagnosing enterobiasis (a disease caused by pinworms). During it, before going to the toilet and toilet of the perineum, a special cotton swab, spatula or a small piece of transparent tape is taken from the perianal folds, which is then applied to the glass and examined under a microscope. . In the presence of the disease, the laboratory assistant will find pinworm eggs in the test material.
Treatment of parasitic diseases is prescribed by a doctor or pediatrician, in severe cases - a specialist in infectious diseases. With skin lesions (some helminths, with scabies or demodicosis), the therapy is chosen by a dermatologist.
It is important not to delay contact with a specialist if you suspect a parasitic disease, because delaying treatment can lead to complications in the patient himself, and also increases the risk of transmitting the disease to others.