Worms In Human Blood

Worms in human blood

Content

• 1 Types of helminths
• 2 Symptoms
• 3 Diagnostics
• 4 Therapy

There are situations when the symptoms of helminthiasis are pronounced, and the analysis of feces does not confirm infection. In this case, we can talk about parasites living in the blood, and not the intestines. This type of pathology is quite rare, but from this it is no more harmless. If in case of intestinal damage they talk about the disease of "dirty hands", then here the mosquito bite comes first.

Types of helminths

Worms in the blood of humans are different in structure, mode of reproduction. Let's consider the most common types.

Filarias

This type of microorganism is considered viviparous. The main route of infection is an insect bite. The human body is the last link in their development.

An insect with the bite of an infected person automatically receives a "portion" of microorganisms. Further, the pathogen enters the mosquito's proboscis. One bite is enough for a healthy body to receive the parasite into the bloodstream.

The larvae in the body begin their growth and development. With such a neighborhood, a person gets a lot of problems in the form of toxic and allergic effects on health.

An important fact: formed filariae can inhabit the lymph nodes, skin, connective tissue, while microfilariae penetrate only into the bloodstream.

Hemosporidia

A dangerous species of protozoa related to spore-like parasites, which find their "home" in human blood cells. More than a hundred varieties of this helminth are known, but the most common in humans is the malarial species. The mosquito is the main carrier.

Destroying the spores of one cell, the parasite penetrates into neighboring cells, thereby provoking an exacerbation of the process. Such a wave of attacks may indicate the presence of this type of worms in the blood of a person.

For infection, it is enough for the pathogen to penetrate the insect's proboscis, then into the stomach, where the phase of sexual reproduction takes place. After that, it moves to the salivary glands and is ejected with the next bite.

An important fact: getting into the venous bed and settling on red blood cells, the active phase of asexual reproduction of this type of blood worms begins. In the process, the hemoglobin molecule darkens and is completely destroyed.

Trypanosomes

One of the most dangerous species of protozoa, capable of causing severe pathologies in humans, such as Chagas disease (with a high 10-14% mortality rate in children under 5 years of age). They are divided into subspecies:

1. Oval
2. Round
3. Shapeless, but with flagella.

According to the localization of the lesion and the form, they are distinguished:

1. Promastigous. It has an oblong shape, affects the front of the cell.
2. Epimastigous. It also has an oblong shape, but lives in the back of the cell space.
3. Tripomastigous. It is characterized by an elongated and extended shape. Localized behind the cell nucleus.
4. Methocyclical. This species is characterized by the absence of a free flagellum.

Important: Trypanosomes differ from the above-mentioned forms of helminths in the presence of the ability to produce glycoproteins (a defense mechanism that does not allow the body to identify and destroy them in time).

Reproduction of this type of protozoa occurs by dividing by two

Symptoms

Worms in the blood of a person can cause the following symptoms.

Initial stage (from the third month to two years)

1. Skin rashes. Outwardly similar to urticaria, but pain is expressed.
2. Hyperthermia.
3. Hyperplasia and induration of lymph nodes.
4. Suffocating attacks similar to asthmatic.
5. Inflammation of the testicles (in men) and the appendages (in women).
6. Inflammatory processes in the joints.

Carriage stage (2-7 years from the moment of the bite)

1. Inflammation from the lymph nodes goes to the vessels of the lymph outflow.
2. Destroyed lymphatic capillaries.
3. Frequent attacks of conjunctivitis.
4. Moving parasites into the subcutaneous space.

The extreme stage of the disease (after 7 years of carriage)

1. Stagnation of lymph and the resulting elephantiasis.
2. Detection of lymph in urine tests.
3. Development of severe pneumonia.
4. The emergence of subcutaneous abscesses.

When infected with the malarial type of helminths, the following are possible:

1. Headache.
2. Fever.
3. Increased fatigue.

For this type of pathogen, the nature of the cyclical nature of the inflammatory process, liver and kidney damage. In the absence of adequate treatment, disability or even death is possible.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis is based on a blood test. In the general analysis, eosinophilic leukocytosis and an increase in ESR numbers are observed. It is also recommended to conduct an immunoassay of blood. It is productive for both the little patient and the adult. At the initial stage of the process (up to 1 month from infection), the indicators are the most informative and allow for timely treatment.

Therapy

In the early stages of the process, it will be quite sufficient to take anthelmintic drugs. Among the most common: Albendazole, Ivermectin. A one-time intake of these medicines is enough.

In order to neutralize allergic reactions, it is recommended to drink any antihistamine 2 hours after taking the main drug. To prevent undesirable manifestations in the future, continue taking them for 3 days. In advanced cases, surgical intervention is indispensable. Excision of the accumulation of helminths from under the skin, from the eyes. The operative method is used to treat purulent processes with filariasis.

Elephantiasis is the most difficult form of the process, practically not amenable to therapy. During the operation, excess tissue is excised. This method improves the patient's appearance and overall quality of life.