Accurate Parasite Testing

[tcmgpt13]

Good article describing symptoms of parasites, types of parasties etc., but what I thought most interesting was the discussion of more accurate methods for parasite testing:

Human Parasites

diagnosis of human parasite infections

The conventional method of laboratory analysis has been the use of a microscope to analyze stool specimens for human parasites, eggs, or their cysts. This has resulted in a high failure rate of identification. Dr. Skye Weintraub, N.D.,has written an excellent book on parasites (The Parasite Menace, 2000); he recommends you consider the following factors when attempting to achieve a more accurate identification of parasites:

• Choose a lab that analyzes parasites as their specialty

• Make sure they analyze multiple stool specimens instead of just one

• Choose the rectal swab technique which analyzes mucus instead of stool

• Choose a lab that uses a fluorescent stain; this makes identification more accurate

• Consider immunoassay test for the identification of parasites, which detects antibodies and is not dependent on stool samples

• For detecting parasites outside of the intestinal tract, consider the following blood tests: indirect hemagglutination test; ELISA assay; latex agglutination; and counter-immuno-electro-phoresis

All of the above points about parasite testing is important, but I have bold faced what probably most of us have not had done when tested for parasite infections. No wonder most of us are told we have no parasites.

Of course any parasite test is limited to finding those parasites which are known to infest humans. Those which are not known will still escape the radar.

[Robin]

Hi TCM,
That is the whole problem these escape detection because the parsites i hace been removing from my scalp and body are not known to infect humans just plants and animals.its such a shame they will never give us an accurate diagnosis as far as parasites tests go they have to know what species they are searching for and refuse to acknowledge other possibilities! sad but true.
xo
Robin

[tcmgpt13]

I thought since we are discussing the possibility of undetected parasites we might have that this thread about parasite testing would apply and so I am bringing it back up again with a little new information:

From a poster on another site about parasite testing. I think GSDL is Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory which seems to have been bought out by Genova Diagnostics as I am redirected to this site: Diagnostic Laboratory Testing for Wellness & Preventive Medicine - Genova Diagnostics

"The best lab I know of is GSDL and they only find one out of five parasites placed in a test specimen. THAT means that they need at least 5 separate specimens to have a good chance of finding nearly all of them."

Another person talking about the state of testing for parasites in the US:

“Sadly, however, I recognize that parasite testing in the US is about as bad as it gets. I do believe that almost everyone has the potential of carrying around many parasites which are potentially destructive. Thus, if you have any chronic health conditions, I would definitely consider the possibility that parasites may be a part of the picture. They are incredibly easy to get, though often much harder to get rid of. I had numerous negative parasite tests before energetic and other testing options revealed further parasites such as Strongyloides and Giardia...even after many negative tests!”

Parasites

The above article is a very interesting discussion and if interested I suggest getting on the site and reading more. He also has a lot of discussion about lyme disease on his site.

A lab in NYC which claims to have very accurate parasite testing:

Parasite tests at Jetti Katz Tropical Medicine Lab

[Bee]

I checked out the Jetti Katz Tropical Medicine Lab. Under the Facts section, it states all parasite infections can be treated and cured in 1-2 weks with antiparasite meds. Not sure if that's true, Wish it was.

If my dr won't give me more albendazole, I'll ask her to order a stool test from this place. Sure would like to talk to this Dr Katz !

[tcmgpt13]

Bee, if you get to talk with Dr. Katz I hope you will post what you learned here. It does sound as if are good with parasite specimens found in the stool, but I wonder if their testing would detect ones usually found in the blood and/or lymph. Such as does the malaria parasite ever have a presence in the stool (I really don't know the answer to that). Not that I am saying any of us have malaria (to be clear).