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Blood tests for parasites are an important element in the diagnosis of parasitology. These types of blood tests allow to detect not only parasites of the digestive system (tapeworm, human roundworm, etc.), but also those that can be infected in exotic countries, e.g. malaria. What are blood tests for parasites? How to interpret its results?

Blood tests for parasitesallows you to detect tapeworms, human roundworm and other worms that parasitize the digestive system, but not only. Blood tests for parasites also work well in the case of suspected babesiosis or malaria and other parasitic diseases that can be infected in tropical countries.

Blood test for parasites - what is it?

When parasites attack the body, they produce substances called antigens. The body recognizes them as foreign bodies and produces the so-called antibodies to fight them. It is the antibodies that are produced against a given parasite that are tested in the blood of the patient. Various methods are used - serological, immunological, molecular (e.g. passive hemagglutination test - IHA, enzyme immunoassay - ELISA, immunoelectrophoresis).

You do not need to come to the examination on an empty stomach.

In addition, the level of eosinophils (eosinophils) - cells of the immune system, which are involved, among others, in in destroying parasites.

Test results are received after 10-14 days.

Blood test for parasites - what parasites can it detect?

A blood test for parasites detects infections caused by

  • protozoa (including giardiasis, trichomoniasis, toxoplasmosis, babesiosis)
  • flukes and tapeworms (including tapeworms and cysticercosis)
  • nematodes (ascariasis, toxocarosis, pinworm)
  • parasitic arthropods (e.g. Demodex)

It also allows to detect parasites that live in exotic countries, e.g. the malaria parasite.

Blood test for parasites - is it reliable?

Sometimes the blood test results for parasites can be false negative. This means that there are parasites in the human body but have not been detected. This can happen when the test is done tooearly, when the body's response to the parasitic invasion has not yet developed. If the test results are in doubt, it is recommended to repeat the tests.

Blood test for parasites - results

If the test result is positive, i.e. there are antibodies in the blood against the parasite, it means a parasitic invasion. There are alsoincreased levels of eosinophils.

Blood test for parasites - price

The price of a blood parasite test varies and depends on the method and laboratory. For example, a blood test for human roundworm or tapeworm (IgG antibody test) costs about PLN 30. In turn, the price of a blood test for toxocarosis is about PLN 90.

Worth knowing

Bioresonance or microscopic examination of a live blood drop will NOT detect parasites!

As the supporters of the microscopic examination of live blood drops argue, under the microscope you can see the pathological structures of various types of microorganisms, such as e.g. parasites. In turn, supporters of bioresonance (bioresonance therapy), during the examination, the pathological vibrations of the parasite are transmitted to the bioresonance device, and then they are compared with the patient's body. Neither of these tests detect parasites! The tests that can reveal a parasitic infestation are stool tests and blood tests (for specific antibodies).

The most common dangerous parasites that feed on human bodies

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