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 take for parasites and when to do it, you can find out from this article.
When should i take the test?
Most often, infection with parasitic diseases occurs when eating poorly washed fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, unprocessed water, as well as through family contact when using common utensils, 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 among 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 in sleep, prolonged cough.
If these symptoms appear, you should see a general practitioner 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 diseases are helminthiases, the best way to get tested for parasites is to do 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 medical assistant examines the samples obtained under a microscope and can identify both live parasites and from an egg.
A standard stool study for worm eggs is not always informative. Due to the peculiarities of the life cycle of 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.
More informative is the extensive stool analysis, which uses the polymerase chain reaction. This technology allows the detection of helminth DNA even if it is dead, hibernating or only fragments of the organism have entered the test 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 a single study, according to statistical data, is 50%, while with a triple study it increases to 99%.
Another analysis, no less important, is the serological reactions: determination of the level of antibodies against the parasite. They can identify acute (IgM) and chronic or delayed (IgG) helminth invasion. In addition, they can lead to infection with parasites that cannot be found in the stool.
Some helminths parasitize in 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, as well as with biopsy.
For the diagnosis of parasitic skin diseases (scabies, demodicosis, some types of helminths), scraping and biopsy of the skin, specific tests (iodine) and serological tests are used.
What tests should an adult perform for parasites?
Adults are less likely to suffer from helminthiasis, as they more closely follow the rules of personal hygiene, less often eat unwashed fruits and vegetables from the garden, and also have less contact with street animals during games.
Helminthiasis tests should be performed for adults in the presence of certain non-specific disorders (stomach and bowel disorders, prolonged itching of the skin, rash, weakness, fatigue, anemia), for all patients before hospitalizationalso regularly as part of a preventive study for certain categories of workers.
These include employees of the food industry, people who work with children (caregivers and nannies in kindergartens, teachers, heads of sports sections). These people should definitely be tested for enterobiasis and ascariasis.
Hunters and breeders should be regularly screened for trichinosis and strongyloidiasis; it is important for fishermen to undergo a serological test to detect opisthorchiasis. More information on which tests should be performed in this or that case can be obtained from a therapist.
What tests to transmit parasites to a child
Every child should undergo a full diagnosis to identify worms and prescribe effective therapy against them before attending kindergarten and primary school (upon admission, after a long break or illness). In addition, in preschool institutions and schools, mandatory regular preventive examinations are provided to detect helminth infestations in the early stages and prevent their spread.
To diagnose helminthiasis, children should perform a general analysis of feces, as well as scraping from the perianal folds.
Scraping is recognized as the most effective and accurate method of diagnosing enterobiasis (a disease caused by pinworms). During it, before going to the bathroom and toilet of the perineum, a special cotton swab, spatula or piece of transparent tape is taken from the perianal folds, which is then applied to a slide and examined under a microscope. In the presence of a disease, the lab assistant will find pinworm eggs in the test material.
Treatment for parasitic diseases is prescribed by a doctor or pediatrician, in difficult cases - by an infectious disease specialist. With skin lesions (some helminths, with scabies or demodicosis), therapy is selected by a dermatologist.
It is important not to delay contact with a specialist if a parasitic disease is suspected, since a delay in treatment can lead to complications in the patient himself and also increases the risk of transmitting the disease to others.