Parasitic diseases are a large group of diseases caused by helminths, some arthropods and protozoa.
Despite all the advances of modern medicine and developed hygiene, according to statistics, about 90% of people around the world have faced these pathologies at least once in their lives. How to suspect a disease and what tests to take for parasites can be found in this article.
Types of parasites
Parasites are organisms that survive due to the vital activity of living beings. Being placed in the human body, in the process of their growth and reproduction, they lead to a lack of trace elements, vitamins, proteins and other nutrients. They can both lead to relapses and exacerbations of chronic pathologies, and cause damage to internal organs by themselves.
There are the following types of parasites that can cause disease in humans:
- protozoa (amoeba, lamblia);
- pathogenic microorganisms (chlamydia, mycoplasma and others);
- helminths (roundworms, peg worms, bovine and porcine tapeworms, and so on);
- parasitic arthropods (scabies mites, demodex).
The main feature of the pathologies they cause is the long-term asymptomatic course or with low symptoms. Parasites skillfully hide their existence, trying to "squeeze everything out of the host's body" until its reserves are depleted and the organ or tissue is severely damaged.
Symptoms of parasitic diseases
Parasitic pathologies often mean helminthiasis - a disease caused by the presence of worms in the body. In most cases, they are found in children, however they can develop in adults in case of neglect of hygiene rules. For a long time after infection, they do not manifest in any way, or are accompanied by subtle symptoms that are often left unattended.
Every disease is characterized by certain characteristics, but there are also common symptoms:
- Headache, dizziness, increased weakness and fatigue. These manifestations are the result of intoxication coming from poisoning by parasitic waste products.
- Worsening of bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, urticaria. They arise as a result of hypersensitivity to helminth cells and their secretion products.
- Digestive system disorders (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, constipation and diarrhea). Helminths that parasitize in the intestinal lumen lead to inflammation, intestinal obstruction due to intestinal lumen blockage.
- Anemia, vitamin deficiency, weight loss. Occurs due to lack of protein, vitamins and minerals, a decrease in hormone production.
- Sleep disorders, chronic fatigue, irritability, irritability, muscle and joint pain.
Detection of most species of helminths requires stool analysis or blood donation for specific antibodies. You can do a study at the clinic in your place of residence, after admission to the hospital, as well as in any of the private laboratories. Some medical centers offer to undergo a prolonged examination, during which it is possible to diagnose the presence or absence of several types of parasites in the body at the same time.
Parasitic tests
What tests should be done if a parasitic disease is suspected, the doctor will tell based on the complaints, anamnesis and clinical manifestations of the disease.
Diagnosis begins with a complete blood count. The most typical changes in helminthiasis will be:
- Decreased hemoglobin levels and reduced red blood cell count (due to lack of protein and iron).
- Increased leukocyte count, accelerated ESR (these are signs of inflammation of internal organs, especially the gastrointestinal tract).
- An increase in eosinophils (a characteristic allergy symptom that occurs in response to the irritating effect of helminth waste products).
For a more accurate diagnosis, stool analysis for helminth eggs and scratches is used. When examining the feces, it is possible to detect the causative agents of enterobiasis, ascariasis, hymenolipedosis and also to detect the presence of protozoan microorganisms (lamblia).
It is important to remember that with a single study, the probability of detecting worm eggs in the feces is 30%. Therefore, to clarify the diagnosis with the first negative result, the study is performed two more times with an interval of 2-4 days.
To improve the accuracy of the study, it is important to prepare carefully for the distribution of feces for analysis. Collect biological material only in a special sterile container, which can be purchased at the pharmacy. A few days before the analysis, you should stop eating coloring products (beets, red berries, exotic fruits, cakes and colored drinks), do not use laxatives, as well as rectal suppositories.
Imunoassay
ELISA analysis in adults and children can detect antibodies produced by the human body in response to the presence of foreign objects in it. For this, blood is taken from a vein, in which, under laboratory conditions, specific IgG antibodies to lamblia, trichomonas, porcine, bovine, trichinella, echinococcus, toxocara, roundworm, and peg worms can be detected. With the help of this study, it is possible to detect the presence of almost all parasites in the human body.
Preparing for research is not difficult. It is necessary to take the test in the morning, on an empty stomach after 8-10 hours of fasting. On the eve of the study, it is advised not to take antibacterials and antihistamines and also not to eat allergic foods (honey, seafood, exotic fruits and red berries, nuts). Immediately before donating blood, experts recommend relaxing in the lab waiting room for 10-15 minutes.
Research results become known after 1-2 days. These studies are performed both as a primary diagnosis and as a control over ongoing treatment.
Timely detection and modern effective treatment of parasitic diseases helps to avoid dangerous health complications.