Parasites Identification: Direct Smear Examination

. Angiostrongylus cantonensis, commonly known as the rat lungworm, is a parasitic nematode that primarily infects rats, with snails and slugs. Humans can become infected by ingesting contaminated food, such as raw or undercooked snails, slugs, freshwater prawns, crabs, or vegetables contaminated by slime from infected mollusks.
. In humans, infection can lead to eosinophilic meningoencephalitis characterized by severe headaches, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, fever, paresthesia, muscle twitches, diplopia, fascial paralysis with peripheral eosinophilia and ocular angiostrongyliasis. Neurological complications may occur. Early diagnosis and management are crucial to preventing complications.
. The Angiostrongylus cantonensis IgM test is an important serological assay used to detect specific IgM antibodies against the parasite. This test helps confirm recent or active infections, particularly in endemic areas where symptoms may overlap with other causes of meningitis. Early detection allows prompt medical intervention, reducing morbidity and preventing long-term neurological damage.

. Trichinellosis is a disease caused by a parasitic roundworm (nematode) Trichinella spiralis. The infection occurs through the consumption of undercooked meat, particularly pork.
. The symptoms vary, depending on the stage of infection and the number of larvae ingested. It can include: fever, muscle pain, swelling around the eyes, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort, muscle stiffness, pain, weakness, and difficulty swallowing.
. Detection of IgM antibodies indicates recent or acute infection, while IgG suggests past or chronic infection. Early diagnosis helps guide appropriate treatment, reducing the risk of complications such as myocarditis, CNS involvenemt and pneumonitis, improving patient outcomes, and also valuable for monitoring the efficacy of treatment.

. Cysticercosis infection is caused by the tapeworm Taenia solium. It occurs when a person ingests eggs from contaminated food or water, or through fecal-oral transmission from an infected person. After ingestion, the eggs hatch into larvae, the larvae get into tissues such as muscle, brain, and eye, and form cysts called cysticerci. When cysts are found in the brain or central nervous system, it is called neurocysticercosis.
. Common symptoms of cysticercosis depend on the location of the cysts and may include: seizures, headaches, confusion, balance problems, and intracranial hypertension, vision disturbances or blindness, painless nodules in the muscles.
. Detection of IgM antibodies suggest a recent or active infection, especially in the early stages, while IgG antibodies indicate past or chronic infection, and they can persist for years even after successful treatment. Early diagnosis helps guide appropriate treatment, reducing the risk of complications, improving patient outcomes, and also valuable for monitoring the efficacy of treatment.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis, also known as rat lungworm, is a parasite that can infect humans when they consume undercooked or raw snails, slugs, or other animals. The worm larvae can invade the central nervous system and cause eosinophilic meningitis. To diagnose rat lungworm infection, IgM and IgG tests are used to detect antibodies against this parasite. IgG test: This test detects IgG antibodies, a type of antibody that usually appears later in the course of infection and can persist for a long time after the infection has been resolved. A positive IgG result may indicate a past or chronic infection.

. Echinococcosis infection is caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus. It occurs when a person ingests eggs from contaminated food, water, or contact with infected animals, particularly dogs. After ingestion, the eggs hatch into larvae, which migrate and form hydatid cysts in various organs, commonly the liver and lungs, but also the brain, spleen, and other tissues.
. The patient may remain asymptomatic for years. When symptoms occur, they depend on the size and location of the cysts and can include: abdominal pain, nausea, hepatomegaly, chest pain, coughing, dyspnea.
Rupture of cysts can cause severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis.
. Detection of IgM indicates recent or active infection, while IgG suggests chronic or past infection. Early diagnosis helps guide appropriate treatment, reducing the risk of complications, improving patient outcomes, and also valuable for monitoring the efficacy of treatment.