What Is Parasitemia?

Parasitic disease is a disease caused by parasites invading the human body. The pathological changes and clinical manifestations caused by different species and parasitic sites vary. This type of disease is widespread and can be seen all over the world, but it is more common in poor and backward areas and poor sanitary conditions, and more in tropical and subtropical areas. Therefore, the narrow sense of tropical diseases refers to parasitic diseases. The developing countries in Africa and Asia are more susceptible, and the infected people are mainly working people who have more sources of epidemics and children with lower immunity.

Basic Information

English name: parasitic disease
Visiting department: Internal medicine

Common causes: Roundworm, whipworm, roundworm, hookworm, amoeba, ginger leafworm, toxoplasma, trichomoniasis, etc.
Common symptoms: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, anemia, itching, etc.

Causes of parasitic diseases

The onset of disease mainly depends on the number and virulence of parasites that invade the body and the immunity of the host. The greater the number of invaded worms and the stronger the virulence, the greater the chance of disease and the more severe the disease. The stronger the host's resistance, the less chance of infection after infection, even if the disease occurs, the disease is less severe. The process of parasitic disease is the result of host-to-body struggles. The pathological changes mainly include damage caused by the mechanical damage of the host body to the host tissue, tissue necrosis caused by the toxin or enzyme secreted by the body, and the infiltration of eosinophils and other inflammatory cells caused by the host response, and even the formation of eosinophils Granulocytic abscess and eosinophilic granuloma to larvae or eggs.

Clinical manifestations of parasitic disease

1. Tsutsugamushi disease, whipworm disease

Paroxysmal umbilical pain, indigestion, weight loss, slow development, and memory loss.

2. Ascariasis

It often feels itchy around the anus and perineum, especially at night, disturbed sleep and dreaming.

3. Amoebiasis

Patients with abdominal pain and diarrhea up to 5 times a day, with a foul odor and dark red mucus and bloody stools.

4. Hookworm disease

Anemia, pale and yellow, dizzy, weak, and farmer occupation.

5. Ginger filariasis

Those with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and a history of eating aquatic plants such as raw mustard, water chestnut, and coriander.

6. Toxoplasmosis

Pregnant women with unexplained miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, loving cats, and fever, weakness, and muscle aches.

7. Malaria

Hemoglobin reduction, visited malaria endemic areas, intermittent chills, fever, and sometimes body temperature as high as about 39 for more than a week.

8. Vaginal trichomoniasis

Women have itching of the vulva, increased leucorrhea, odor, and may have dysuria and frequent urination.

Those who have the above symptoms should go to the hospital for further examination.

Parasitic disease check

Etiological examination

Look for worms in body fluids or secretions, such as fecal smears or aggregation methods to check intestinal protozoan trophozoites, cysts or worm eggs, peripheral blood smears for plasmodium, etc. Parasites in the host tissue can pass through living tissue Diagnosis or puncture examination.

2. Immunological examination

The commonly used methods are intradermal test and serum immune test.

(1) The intradermal test can be divided into immediate response and delayed response. The lung fluke skin test is the former, which can be used for clinical screening or epidemiological investigation.

(2) Serum immunological tests include indirect red blood cell agglutination test (IHA), indirect fluorescent antibody technology (IFT), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The former has higher sensitivity, and the latter two have higher sensitivity and specificity. These methods are mainly used to detect host-specific antibodies. At present, methods for detecting circulating antigens or excretion antigens have also been established for early diagnosis and evaluation of efficacy.

3. Molecular biology inspection

DNA probe hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detect the DNA of some parasites.

4. Imaging examination

Such as ultrasound examination, CT examination.

Diagnosis of parasitic diseases

Etiological diagnosis

2. Immunological diagnosis

The commonly used methods are intradermal test and serum immune test.

3. Epidemiological history

From epidemic areas, for example, schistosomiasis has a history of contact with infected water, and lung fluke disease has a history of unfamiliar stone crabs.

4. Clinical manifestations

Each has its clinical characteristics, and eosinophils in peripheral blood tend to increase.

5. Other inspections

Molecular biology, ultrasound examination, CT examination, etc.

Parasitic complications

Water and electrolyte disorders can occur, which can cause anemia and malnutrition, and retarded growth. Appendiceal parasitosis: secondary infection produces acute appendicitis, the inflammatory phase. Subsequently, the pressure in the appendix increased, and the ischemia, necrosis, perforation, and roundworms of the appendix wall could penetrate into the abdominal cavity, causing severe purulent peritonitis.

Parasitic Disease Treatment

Drug treatment

It is mainly to eliminate parasites, and the most effective deworming drug is used according to the species. Depending on the type of worm, the strength of the physique, and the severity of the illness, appropriate prescriptions can be selected and matched.

2. Supportive Therapy

When the infection is severe and the host is weak, supportive therapy can be given.

3. Other

Surgical treatment should be performed in time when there are surgical complications.

Parasitic disease prevention

Comprehensive measures should be taken to adapt to local conditions and adopt different effective methods for different diseases.

1. Treat patients on a large scale and eliminate the storage host to eliminate the source of infection.

2. Cut off the route of transmission, such as the elimination of vector insects or intermediate hosts.

3. Strengthen health education to change poor hygiene and dietary habits, avoid drinking raw water and eating unfamiliar food.