The symptoms of the presence of parasites in the body can often seem incoherent and inexplicable and, although the idea 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 all internal organs of a person and cause symptoms of various diseases. What tests to take for parasites and when to do it, you can find out in this article.
When should I get tested?
Very often, infection by parasitic diseases occurs when poorly washed vegetables and fruits, meat, fish, poorly processed raw water are eaten, as well as through household contact when using common utensils and toys on 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 initial 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, stomach pain, intestines.
- Decreased or increased appetite, feeling sick after eating.
- Unmotivated weight loss.
- Itching of the skin, incomprehensible rashes, dermatitis, hives.
- Pale skin, increased fatigue, or diagnosed anemia (most often iron deficiency).
- Excessive work, sleep disturbances (drowsiness, insomnia).
- Grinding of teeth during sleep, prolonged cough.
If these symptoms appear, you should see a GP and have a parasite test.
What tests to pass on parasites
There are many studies to identify the presence of parasites (protozoa, arthropods, helminths) in the body.
Since the most common diseases are helminthiasis, the best way to get tested for parasites is to have a stool test.
For 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 assistant physician examines the collected samples under a microscope and can identify both living parasites and those in 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 extended stool test, which uses the polymerase chain reaction. This technology makes it possible to detect helminth DNA even if it is dead, in hibernation or only fragments of the organism have entered the material under study.
To be able to tell exactly if there are parasites in the body or not, the test must be carried out at least three times on different days. The precision of a single study, according to statistical data, is 50%, while with a triple study it increases to 99%.
Another no less important analysis is 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 determine infection by parasites that are not found in the stool.
Some helminths parasitize the bile ducts and can also form cysts in the lungs, liver, and brain. They can be suspected from the corresponding clinical symptoms and detected by serologic tests, radiographs, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging, as well as 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 perform to detect parasites?
Adults are less likely to suffer from helminthiasis, as they follow personal hygiene rules more closely, eat unwashed fruits and vegetables from the garden less often, and also have less contact with street animals during games.
Helminthiasis testing for adults is necessary in the presence of certain nonspecific complaints (stomach and intestinal discomfort, prolonged itching of the skin, rash, weakness, fatigue, anemia), for all patients before admission to hospital, and also regularlyas 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 farmers should be regularly screened for trichinosis and strongyloidiasis; it is important that fishermen undergo a serological test for opisthorchiasis. You can get more information about what tests should be done in this or that case from a therapist.
What tests transmit parasites to a child?
Each child should undergo a complete diagnosis to identify worms and prescribe effective therapy against them before attending kindergarten and elementary school (upon admission, after a long break or illness). In addition, in preschool institutions and schools, there are mandatory periodic preventive examinations to detect helminth infestations in the early stages and prevent their spread.
To diagnose helminthiasis, children should perform a general analysis of the stool, as well as scrape the perianal folds.
Scraping is recognized as the most effective and accurate method for diagnosing enterobiasis (a disease caused by pinworms). During it, before going to the toilet and perineum bath, 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 amicroscope. . In the presence of disease, the laboratory 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 you suspect a parasitic disease, since a delay in treatment can lead to complications in the patient and also increases the risk of transmitting the disease to others.