Analysis For Opisthorchiasis (feces, Blood): How And Where To Take, What Is The Price And What You Need To Know

What tests for opisthorchiasis need to be taken

Opisthorchiasis analysis is the most valuable diagnostic method. The attending physician may prescribe the following tests for the patient: a study of feces for the presence of helminth eggs, a general and biochemical blood test, PCR diagnostics, a study of antibodies to the causative agent of the infection, urinalysis. Most often, a study of feces and blood is prescribed. These methods will be discussed below.

Blood test for opisthorchiasis

Normally, a person has no antibodies to the causative agent in the plasma. Therefore, their detection in combination with symptoms makes it possible to speak with confidence about the presence of an invasion.

It is also recommended to periodically donate blood for analysis to patients who have lived for a long time in areas endemic to opisthorchiasis, who consume fish that have not undergone the necessary heat treatment, and who have diseases of the biliary tract and liver.

There are several types of blood tests that allow, with a certain probability, to talk about the presence of a disease or suspicion of it. But none of them allows to unambiguously diagnose opisthorchiasis, since all of them are indirect and can be considered only in conjunction with symptoms, parasitic studies of feces and duodenal contents.

The following types of blood tests for opisthorchiasis are distinguished:

• general
• Biochemical
• Immunoassay

General

A complete blood count and biochemistry are used at the initial stage of diagnosis to establish common signs of infection.

Biochemical

A biochemical blood test is a comprehensive laboratory diagnostics carried out to assess the state of internal organs and systems and to identify the body's need for trace elements and the level of its satisfaction. Based on biochemical indicators of blood composition, primary diagnostics of the functioning of the liver, kidneys, pancreas and other organs is carried out, data on metabolic processes (lipid, protein, carbohydrate metabolism) are obtained.

If during the biochemical analysis there is an increased level of bilirubin, transaminases (ALT and AST), suleim and thymol samples, amylase (pancreatic enzyme) in the blood, then this indirectly allows suspecting opisthorchiasis. All these indicators indicate damage to internal organs (most of all the liver) and a violation of their functions.

ELISA

The essence of the method is that the antigens of the causative agent of opisthorchiasis Opisthorchis felineus in a certain concentration are sorbed (fixed) into the wells of a polystyrene plate.

The test sample (blood serum) is titrated by a serial dilution in each subsequent well (for example, 1: 2, 1: 4, 1: 8, 1:16, etc.). In the presence of antibodies to Opisthorchis felineus, they bind to the antigen sorbed on the plate. These antibodies are detected by the addition of an enzyme-labeled reagent (conjugate) that specifically binds to them.

After the addition at the final stage of the substrate - a colorless substance - an enzymatic reaction takes place. It results in a staining of the substrate, the intensity of which is proportional to the amount of antibodies detected (associated with the conjugate). The result is assessed spectrophotometrically or visually.

Decoding the results

The presence or absence of helminthiasis is said if the interpretation of the results shows an increase in some blood components or a change in some characteristics:

Analysis of feces for opisthorchiasis

A prerequisite for the diagnosis of opisthorchiasis is the study of feces. With a prolonged course of the disease, the likelihood of release of worm eggs increases, and their number will indicate the severity of the invasion.

Diagnosis of opisthorchiasis by the clinical picture of the disease is difficult due to the absence of symptoms and syndromes characteristic only of this disease. It is not difficult to recognize opisthorchiasis invasion a month after infection, when helminths begin to lay eggs (ovoscopic examination of feces and duodenal juice of the patient).

Great difficulties are encountered in recognizing the early phase of opisthorchiasis. The presence of fever, hepatomegaly, and eosinophilic leukocytosis in an intensive focus of opisthorchiasis in new settlers makes one suspect an early phase of this helminthiasis.

Opisthorchiasis occurs with a fairly diverse clinical manifestations. Therefore, a thorough clinical, laboratory and X-ray (including ultrasound) examination of patients is necessary.

The eggs of the feline fluke in the infested ones are more often found during duodenal intubation than in the feces. With weak invasion, they are sometimes found only during repeated probing. When examining feces according to the Fülleborn method, the eggs sink into the sediment. The most effective method of sedimentation is Goryachev.

How to donate feces correctly

Feces analysis involves a little, simple preparation. Before taking the material, it is recommended to empty the urine, and then carry out hygienic procedures with the external genitals, this will help prevent moisture and urine drops from entering the feces.

Feces for testing should be collected in dry duck-style containers; instead, cling film can be pulled over the toilet seat.

Another condition for obtaining a reliable result is that the stool sample must be fresh. For this reason, it is best to use morning portions of feces, if this is not possible, keep the sample in the refrigerator until morning.

The analysis of feces for opisthorchiasis will be accurate if the following conditions are met:

• the material was obtained naturally (without the use of laxatives, enemas);
• before taking the analysis, at least two days before, stop using drugs that stimulate intestinal motility;
• a healthy diet was followed for several days.

Doctors emphasize that it is better for women to refuse to take the test during menstruation. Otherwise, there is a possibility of blood entering the feces.

Where can I get tested for opisthorchiasis

In Moscow

Approximate prices in the Russian Federation:

• general blood test ─ 400-500 rubles;
• general urine analysis - 300-400 rubles;
• blood biochemistry ─ 800 rubles;
• coprogram - 350-500 rubles;
• PCR - 800 rubles;
• IFA - 800-900 rubles.

How much analysis is done and how accurate is it

The duration of the study depends on the type of analysis and the place where it was carried out. It usually takes a few days for the results to be obtained, but there are laboratories where a transcript can be issued faster for an additional fee. The average accuracy of the result is 70-80%.