Parasites may be challenging to detect with the naked eye. The traditional method for detecting parasites is to look at samples under a microscope. However, a more modern technique is to use a molecular probe called PCR to search for the parasite.
Parasite testing labs are designed for evaluating a person’s faecal matter for parasite ova. They can be used for everything from monitoring our health to finding the origin of an illness.
Parasite ova is the microscopic egg of a parasite. Parasite ova may be found in samples of blood, urine, tissues, faeces, or other bodily fluids. Some parasites (specifically roundworm, tapeworm, and pinworm) pass ova through stool instead of live worms.
What is an Ova and Parasite Gut Test?
An ova and parasite (O&P) test may be performed when a faecal examination (stool test) reveals the presence of parasites in the stool. O&P tests examine stool samples for infections that are caused by parasites and parasitic infections such as worms and are used to identify the types of parasites in the stool and their numbers.
A variety of parasites can cause digestive system problems. The eggs and parasites of different species have distinctive shapes, sizes, or internal structures.
Sometimes, certain parasites will invade the lower digestive tract and will cause symptoms such as diarrhoea. As a result, parasites and their eggs are passed out in the faecal matter.
Why Have an O&P Test?
The parasite and ova (O&P) test is a quick and straightforward way to diagnose many types of infections that can cause illness.
A ova and parasite test can often help us identify the root causes of the following conditions:
- Diarrhoea
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unquenchable thirst
- Itchy skin
- Abdominal pain
When To Get an O&P Test?
O&P tests are not needed very often. If you have symptoms of infection, such as unexplained weight loss, fever, fatigue, stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting, or if you have an immune deficiency or sexually transmitted infection an O&P test may be helpful
Other patients who might need this test are:
- Pregnant having symptoms of pinworm infection.
- Individuals having a family history of cysticercosis.
- Individuals having a history of seizures.
How Do You Get an Ova and Parasite test?
- You will be provided with a sample kit and a collection pot. The kit often has a special spoon attached to the lid that helps you collect stool.
- If you don’t have a pan, use a plastic bag taped over the toilet bowl.
- Put on the provided rubber gloves before collecting a sample.
- Finally, seal the container and discard the pan and gloves.
Once the lab receives the sample, it is examined under a microscope to identify eggs or parasites.
Can a parasite testing lab detect all parasites?
No. Unfortunately, a parasite test lab can not detect all parasites. There are thousands of parasites. A parasite lab equipped with modern devices can detect only the known parasites.
It is therefore possible for a parasitic infection to be undetected following parasite testing.
What type of sample does the lab need for a parasite test?
To test for parasites, the lab needs a stool sample for a parasite test. This is where a collection is made and then returned to the lab via the post for analysis.
To increase the reliability of the results, some labs may request that several stool samples are collected over a series of days. This can improve how accurate the results are when testing for parasites and parasitic infections
What other lab tests may be done for parasites?
Other tests for parasites may include endoscopy, blood tests, X-rays, and MRI scans to check the presence of parasites.
1) Endoscopy
Endoscopy is a way of investigating an intestinal tract from outside the body. It can identify parasites that may be causing diarrhoea, loose or watery stools, cramping and flatulence. This test may be required when stool exams don’t reveal the cause of your symptoms.
2) Blood tests
It is hard to have a blood test that tests for all parasitic infections because there are many to account for. However, testing can look for specific types of parasites, and if detected, this would be an indication of being infected. Primarily, serology and blood smear tests are performed to detect the parasites.
Serology test checks for antibodies or antigens in an effort to diagnose an infection. It detects the immune system’s response to a parasite.
A blood smear test detects parasitic infections based on microscopic examination of the infected person’s blood.
3) X-ray and MRI
X-ray and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans detect parasitic diseases that can cause lesions in organs.
Parasite Testing in the UK
The IBS & Gut Health Clinic offer a range of tests to examine the balance of organisms in the digestive tract that may be contributing to digestive symptoms.
Do Parasites Cause IBS?
IBS gut health symptoms can overlap with the symptoms commonly seen with parasitic infections. These symptoms include bloating, diarrhoea and frequent bowel movements.
For many with these types of digestive disorders, symptoms may have started following food poisoning or while away travelling. While is it possible for these symptoms to be related to the parasite remaining in the gut, a common explanation for gut health symptoms is referred to as post-infectious IBS.
In this situation, while the parasitic infection has been cleared from the digestive tract, an imbalance remains. This can be in the form of imbalances in the gut microbiome as well as a low-grade inflammatory response within the gut lining.
The combination of these factors may then influence digestive symptoms and gut health, leading to symptoms of IBS.
This also means that as the parasite or parasitic infection has been cleared from the digestive tract, all tests for parasites will come back clear. [Source: PubMed]
Read more about Post-infectious IBS here.
How Would I Know If I Have a Parasite?
There are certain symptoms that may indicate a parasitic infection. These parasite symptoms can be helpful ways to initially understand why the cause of the symptoms is. However, a parasite test is the only clear way to know if a parasite is present.
The symptoms of a parasitic infection may include:
- Pain in the stomach or abdomen
- Feeling sick or vomiting
- Bloating
- Increased gas in the gut
- Blood or mucus in the stool
- Fatigue [Source: PubMed]
Other indicators that a parasite infection might be causing symptoms are certain risk factors. These are factors that may have been present around the time of symptoms starting and may indicate that exposure to a parasite and/or that the gut wasn’t strong enough to defend against the parasitic infection.
Risk factors include:
- Travelling internationally
- Living in an area known to have parasites
- Visiting an area known to have parasites
- Poor hygiene or sanitisation (food and water)
- A poor or weak immune system [Source: Mount Sinai]
How Do You Get Tested for Parasites?
Outside of a parasite test via a doctor or the NHS, there are home parasite tests available in the UK and elsewhere.
These can assess the balance of the gut microbiome which includes bacteria and candida but also pathogens such as parasites. This is commonly via PCR testing in a stool sample.
These testing kits require the collection of a stool sample at home which is then returned to the laboratory for analysis. This analysis examines the stool sample in various ways to understand the balance of the gut microbiome. [Source: PubMed]
Depending on the outcome of these tests various treatments can be considered. The first line treatment can include antibiotics. There are also natural approaches and treatments for parasites that include probiotics and herbal medicines. [Source: PubMed, PubMed]
