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Home / Equine Research Bank / Aust Vet J / Coprological methods for the diagnosis of Anoplocephala perf...
Australian veterinary journal1998; 76(9); 618-621; doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1998.tb10242.x

Coprological methods for the diagnosis of Anoplocephala perfoliata infection of the horse.

Abstract: To compare the sensitivities of three coprological techniques for the diagnosis of Anoplocephala perfoliata infection in horses and to assess the value of the methods for diagnosis of horses at risk of clinical cestodiasis. Methods: Faecal samples were collected from necropsied horses with or without A perfoliata infection and examined using one sedimentation and two different flotation methods. The coprological results were compared with worm counts performed at necropsy of the horses and the degree of mucosal damage. In addition, the efficiency of recovery of A perfoliata eggs from faeces was tested. Results: The overall sensitivities of the methods ranged from 22.5 to 37.5%, and the capacity of the methods to diagnose infection increased with the intensity of infection. A simple flotation method achieved a better sensitivity (37.5%) at all intensities of infection compared with the other two methods (22.5 to 25%). That method was also more sensitive in detecting eggs in 'negative' faecal samples spiked with known numbers of A perfoliata eggs. Conclusions: The results indicated that, despite the low sensitivities of present methods, faecal flotation is likely to be of value in detecting horses at risk of clinical disease.
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Publication Date: 1998-10-29 PubMed ID: 9791714DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1998.tb10242.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research compares three methods of analyzing horse feces (coprology) to discern Anoplocephala perfoliata infection, a type of tapeworm in horses. Results show that a simple flotation method was more sensitive in detecting the infection compared to other techniques.

Introduction to the Study and Methodologies Used

  • The study was aimed at comparing the effectiveness of three coprological methods in diagnosing Anoplocephala perfoliata infection in horses. This infection is considered a form of clinical cestodiasis, which is an infection caused by tapeworms. Knowledge on the infection-intensity in horses is critical because it can have serious health implications for the animals.
  • The three methods compared in the study included one sedimentation methodology and two flotation methods. Sedimentation refers to the process of allowing particles to settle at the bottom of a liquid. On the other hand, flotation processes involve suspending particles in a liquid solution.
  • Fecal samples were collected from horses that had been necropsied (the animal equivalent of an autopsy), both with and without A. perfoliata infection, and the samples were analyzed using the three aforementioned methods.
  • Further, the coprological results were compared with worm counts obtained from the necropsy of the horses and the degree of observed mucosal damage. The efficiency of A. perfoliata egg recovery from horse feces was also evaluated.

Results of the Study

  • The overall sensitivities of the methods, indicating their ability to correctly identify infected cases, varied from 22.5% to 37.5%. Sensitivity here refers to the rate of correctly identifying the presence of the infection in the sampled horses.
  • The methods’ capacity to diagnose infections increased with the intensity of the infection, indicating their performance improved in severe cases of the disease.
  • A simple flotation method showed better sensitivity at all intensities of the infection compared to the other two methods – achieving a rate of 37.5% sensitivity compared to the 22.5% to 25% ranges of the other tools.
  • The flotation method was also more adept at detecting A. perfoliata eggs in ‘negative’ fecal samples that were spiked with known numbers of the tapeworm eggs for the purpose of the test.

Conclusions and Implications of the Research

  • Despite the relatively low sensitivities of the techniques involved, the results indicated that fecal flotation method is a potentially valuable tool for detecting horses that are at risk of developing clinical cestodiasis.
  • This is significant because it can help in early detection and consequently the efficient management of this infectious disease in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Williamson RM, Beveridge I, Gasser RB. (1998). Coprological methods for the diagnosis of Anoplocephala perfoliata infection of the horse. Aust Vet J, 76(9), 618-621. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1998.tb10242.x

Publication

Australian veterinary journal
ISSN: 0005-0423
NlmUniqueID: 0370616
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 76
Issue: 9
Pages: 618-621

Researcher Affiliations

Williamson, R M
  • Department of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria.
Beveridge, I
    Gasser, R B

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Cestoda / isolation & purification
      • Cestode Infections / diagnosis
      • Cestode Infections / parasitology
      • Cestode Infections / veterinary
      • Confidence Intervals
      • Feces / parasitology
      • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
      • Horse Diseases / parasitology
      • Horses
      • Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
      • Sensitivity and Specificity

      Citations

      This article has been cited 10 times.
      1. Červená B, Prokopová T, Cameira RM, Pafčo B, Samaš P, Romportl D, Uwamahoro C, Noheri JB, Ntwari AE, Bahizi M, Nzayisenga G, Nziza J, Gilardi K, Eckardt W, Ndagijimana F, Mudakikwa A, Muvunyi R, Uwingeli P, Cranfield M, Šlapeta J, Petrželková KJ, Modrý D. Anoplocephalid tapeworms in mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) inhabiting the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Parasitology 2024 Feb;151(2):135-150.
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      6. Petrželková KJ, Uwamahoro C, Pafčo B, Červená B, Samaš P, Mudakikwa A, Muvunyi R, Uwingeli P, Gilardi K, Nziza J, Noheri JB, Eckardt W, Ndagijimana F, Ssebide B, Okwirokello R, Nizeyimana F, Syaluha EK, Nzayisenga G, Flores Girón L, Bahizi M, Ntwari AE, Lukusa JP, Tumushime JC, Mangura D, Mapilanga J, Kalonji A, Aruho R, Stryková A, Tehlarová Z, Cameira R, Lowenstine L, Šlapeta J, Romportl D, Ferrari N, Cranfield M, Modrý D. Heterogeneity in patterns of helminth infections across populations of mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei). Sci Rep 2021 May 25;11(1):10869.
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