Symptoms of the presence of parasites in the body can often seem inconsistent and inexplicable, and although the thought is intimidating, they are more common than many realize. There are many organisms in the world - various types of worms, protozoa that can parasitize almost any internal organ of a person and cause symptoms of various diseases. What tests to perform for parasites and when to do it, you can find out in this article.
When should I get tested?
Most often, infection with parasitic diseases occurs when eating improperly washed vegetables and fruits, improperly processed meat, fish, raw water, as well as through household contact when using utensilscommon, toys in children.
There are the following types of parasites:
- Protozoa (lamblia, amoeba, plasmodium malaria).
- Parasitic arthropods (Demodex mite, the causative agent of scabies).
- Parasitic worms (helminths).
The most common parasitic diseases are caused by helminths (worms) and occur in young children, pet owners and socially disadvantaged people.
The main feature of parasites is their inconspicuous existence in the early stages. For a long time after infection, they do not manifest themselves in any way and cause pronounced symptoms already in advanced stages.
You can recognize the presence of parasites in the body by the following manifestations:
- Bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, pain in the stomach, intestines.
- Decreased or increased appetite, discomfort after eating.
- Unmotivated weight loss.
- Itchy skin, incomprehensible rashes, dermatitis, hives.
- Pale skin, increased fatigue or diagnosed anemia (most often iron deficiency).
- Overwork, sleep disturbances (drowsiness, insomnia).
- Grinding of teeth during sleep, prolonged cough.
If these symptoms appear, you should see a GP and get tested for parasites.
What tests to transmit to parasites
There are many studies to identify the presence of parasites (protozoa, arthropods, helminths) in the body.
Since the most common illnesses are helminthiasis, the best way to get tested for parasites is to take a stool test.
To conduct a standard study, the patient will need to collect three separate stool samples from different areas of the same portion in a sterile container and deliver the biomaterial to the laboratory as soon as possible. A laboratory physician assistant examines the obtained samples under a microscope and can identify both living parasites and an egg.
A standard fecal study for worm eggs is not always informative. Due to the peculiarities of the life cycle of the parasites, 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. disease.
More informative is the in-depth stool analysis, which uses the polymerase chain reaction. This technology makes it possible to detect the DNA of the helminth even if it is dead, in hibernation or only fragments of the organism have entered the material under study.
In order to accurately tell whether or not there are parasites in the body, the test should be done at least three times on different days. The accuracy of a single study, according to statistical data, is 50%, while with a triple study it increases to 99%.
Another, no less important analysis concerns serological reactions - determination of the level of antibodies against the parasite. They can identify acute (IgM) and chronic or delayed (IgG) helminthic invasion. Also, they can determine infection with parasites that cannot be found in the feces.
Some helminths parasitize the bile ducts and can also form cysts in the lungs, liver and brain. They can be suspected by the corresponding clinical symptoms and detected using serological tests, X-rays, CT or MRI scans, as well as by biopsy.
For the diagnosis of parasitic skin diseases (scabies, demodicosis, certain types of helminths), scraping and biopsy of the skin, specific tests (iodine) and serological tests are used.
What tests should an adult have for parasites?
Adults are less likely to suffer from helminthiasis because they follow personal hygiene rules more closely, eat unwashed garden fruits and vegetables less often, and also have less contact with street animals during play.
It is necessary to do screening tests for helminthiasis in adults in the presence of certain non-specific complaints (upset stomach and intestines, prolonged itching of the skin, rash, weakness, fatigue, anemia), for allpatients before admission to hospital, and also regularly as part of a preventive study for certain categories of workers.
These include employees in the food industry, people working with children (caretakers and nannies in kindergartens, teachers, heads of sports sections). These people should definitely be tested for enterobiosis and ascariasis.
Hunters and farmers should be screened regularly for trichinosis and strongyloidiasis; It is important that fishermen undergo a serological test for opisthorchiasis. More information on the tests to be performed in a particular case can be obtained from a therapist.
What tests to transmit parasites to a child
Each child should undergo a comprehensive diagnosis in order to identify worms and prescribe effective therapy against them before going to kindergarten and elementary school (upon admission, after a long break or illness). In addition, in preschools and schools, regular preventive examinations are mandatory to detect helminthic infestations at an early stage and prevent their spread.
To diagnose helminthiasis, children should perform a general analysis of feces, as well as scraping of the perianal folds.
Scratching is recognized as the most effective and accurate method for diagnosing enterobiosis (a disease caused by pinworms). During this time, before going to the toilet and to the 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 a glass slide and examined under a microscope. . In the presence of disease, the laboratory assistant will find pinworm eggs in the test material.
Treatment of parasitic diseases is prescribed by a doctor or pediatrician, in difficult cases - by a specialist in infectious diseases. With skin lesions (some helminths, with scabies or demodicosis) therapy is chosen by a dermatologist.
It is important not to delay in contacting a specialist if you suspect a parasitic disease, since delayed treatment can lead to complications in the patient himself and also increases the risk of transmission of the disease to others.