Giardiasis infection is considered one of the most common parasitic infestations. Among children, pathology occurs in every 2-3 children, while the incidence of adults accounts for only 5% of the population.
Usually, infection occurs when eating unwashed products, the surface of which is contaminated with cysts, as well as through household supplies and dirty hands. When the cysts reach the gastrointestinal tract, their dense shell dissolves, a full-fledged individual emerges from the larva, which grows rapidly, reaches sexual maturity and begins to multiply in the small intestinal cavity.
A large number of parasites can accumulate in the intestine, which causes pronounced intestinal irritation. Gradually, the number of lamblias increases, which forces them to move into the structures of the large intestine, where their mobility decreases and they become cystlike.
In this form, the parasite is excreted from the body in search of a new host. In the aquatic environment, cysts live up to 5, and in the soil - up to 3 weeks.
Methods for diagnosis of Giardiasis
Diagnosis of Giardiasis is performed in various ways, but everything starts with a general examination, which includes:
- Collecting anamnestic data and patient complaints, when symptoms of malaise, in what sequence, etc. An experienced specialist at this stage can establish a presumptive diagnosis.
- A percussion examination in which a specialist performs tapping at a specific site.
- Palpation involves probing a certain area of the abdomen and hypochondrium. With the help of this method, it is possible to identify painful areas.
- Auscultation is a procedure for listening to the abdominal area by means of a phonendoscope, which allows to identify problems with intestinal motility accompanied by abnormal noises in the intestine.
Usually the following tests are prescribed:
- General examination of blood and urine;
- Biochemistry of blood;
- Stool studies;
- ECG;
- Ultrasound diagnosis of peritoneal organs;
- Radiographic examination of the large cell organs;
- Coprological study;
- Intestinal biopsy;
- Fibrogastroduodenoscopy;
- Enterotesting for the presence of Giardiasis;
- Hepatic assays and many others.etc.
A comprehensive examination will help in a timely manner to identify the patient's parasite infection and initiate therapy at the earliest stages of the disease, avoiding serious gastrointestinal complications.
Coprological method
This diagnostic technique is considered to be the most simple and informative among all procedures performed when identifying Giardiasis. Koprologic method involves the surrender of stool analysis to study the structural and functional state of the digestive system.
The samples obtained in the laboratory are evaluated according to various criteria:
- The color characteristics by which the expert determines the quality of the pancreas, as well as the functionality of the hepatic and biliary structures. Such an assessment will help to reveal the presence of hidden internal bleeding;
- The consistency and shape of stools helps to detect the presence of disruptions in intestinal activity, intoxication or infection;
- Microscopic examination helps to detect the presence of eggs and cysts of the parasite;
- An acid-base level assessment tells the diagnostician about the functionality of the hepatic structures.
Cal for the presence of lambliasis parasites is considered the very first analysis, which is prescribed in the diagnosis of Giardiasis invasions.
Thanks to microscopic analysis for a day, you can find lamblia cysts. The maximum mobility of cysts is in the first 5 hours from the moment of defecation, therefore, research is tedious to be carried out only exclusively with fresh material.
It is not recommended to take stool for research after radiographic examinations of intestinal structures or enemas, since the result will be unreliable. In addition, for maximum accuracy of koprologicheskogo study it is necessary to hand out feces three times, because the parasite multiplies every 3 weeks.
Blood test
Laboratory diagnosis of Giardiasis necessarily involves an immunological study that involves the study of blood samples.
In the course of diagnosis, such indices can be revealed:
- IgM antibodies - they indicate an acute stage of parasitic lesion;
- IgG immunoglobulins indicate a chronic course of giardiasis;
- If an excessive amount of other antibodies is detected, this indicates the development of chronic lamblial infection.
Normative indices
To determine the presence or presence of giardiasis, the diagnostic specialist should establish a ratio of antibodies to lamblia antigens. The purpose of these antibodies is to control microorganisms of pathogenic origin.
The results of the ELISA test can be labeled as "questionable", "positive" or "negative".
The indices for each label are determined individually and are:
- Doubtful - the content of antibodies is 0.85-1, at similar results the blood test is recommended to be repeated anew;
- Positive - the indices of immunoglobulins are more than one, which indicates the presence of giardiasis;
- The results are negative if the antibody is 0-0.85 ODP.This indicator indicates the absence of lambliasis parasites in the patient's body.
Immunoglobulins decrease within a two-month period from the moment of destruction of lambliasis parasites.
Correct and reliable decrypt the results can only a qualified specialist, so it is not recommended to engage in interpretation of results independently.
But even one blood test to diagnose giardiasis is unlikely to succeed, because immunoglobulins can increase against a background of other pathologies that are not related to parasitic intestinal infections.
Bowel biopsy
If a scorpion test showed no traces of the parasite, and the symptomatology suggests otherwise, an intestinal or duodenal biopsy may be necessary.
To take a biopsy specimen into the nasopharynx, the patient is given a probe to be swallowed. It penetrates into the stomach, then into the gut. Capsule is advanced about one-third the length of the intestine. All actions are monitored by fluoroscopic equipment and displayed on the monitor screen.
At the end of the probe or capsule there is a special syringe that sucks in a small amount of mucous tissue, which is carefully cut with a special tool.
The resulting biomaterial is sent for microscopic examination.
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