2058. Ascaris lumbricoides, IgG antibodies

The test detects IgG antibodies to Ascaris lumbricoides, the parasite that causes ascariasis. The presence of antibodies indicates a current or past infection. It is used in the comprehensive diagnosis of ascariasis to confirm the diagnosis. Serological diagnostics are important during the period when ascaris eggs are not excreted in feces and diagnosis by stool microscopy is impossible.

Ascaris lumbricoides is a large roundworm that infects the human small intestine. Infection occurs through ingestion of parasite eggs, which are ingested through contaminated food, water, or dirty hands.

If mature eggs are ingested, larvae hatch in the upper small intestine. These larvae penetrate the intestinal wall into the inferior vena cava, then enter the blood vessels of the liver and lungs. From there, the larvae migrate to the alveoli and bronchi, ascend the respiratory tract to the pharynx, and are re-swallowed, entering the gastrointestinal tract. Within 70-75 days, they mature into adult parasites capable of laying eggs in the small intestine.

Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic carriage to severe lesions:

• the acute period of larval migration into the respiratory tract – cough, shortness of breath, fever, allergic reactions;
• the intestinal period – abdominal pain, nausea, indigestion, intestinal obstruction in severe cases;
• complications – pancreatitis, cholangitis, cholelithiasis.

Serological diagnosis is important during the period when ascaris eggs are not excreted in the feces and diagnosis by stool microscopy is impossible.

• Children and adults with symptoms that may indicate ascariasis, such as a persistent cough, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, or allergic reactions.
• Individuals with occupational or household contact with soil, contaminated water, or food.

• Venous blood

In order to exclude factors that may affect the test results, we recommend to follow the preparation rules: