Effect of vacuum packing and temperature on survival and hatching of strongyle eggs in faecal samples.
Abstract: Strongyle eggs of helminths of livestock usually hatch within a few hours or days after deposition with faeces. This poses a problem when faecal sampling is performed in the field. As oxygen is needed for embryonic development, it is recommended to reduce air supply during transport and refrigerate. The present study therefore investigated the combined effect of vacuum packing and temperature on survival of strongyle eggs and their subsequent ability to hatch and develop into L3. Fresh faecal samples were collected from calves infected with Cooperia oncophora, pigs infected with Oesophagostomum dentatum, and horses infected with Strongylus vulgaris and cyathostomins. The samples were allocated into four treatments: vacuum packing and storage at 5 °C or 20 °C (5 V and 20 V); normal packing in plastic gloves closed with a loose knot and storage at 5 °C or 20 °C (5 N and 20 N). The number of eggs per gram faeces (EPG) was estimated every fourth day until day 28 post set up (p.s.) by a concentration McMaster-method. Larval cultures were prepared on day 0, 12 and 28 p.s. and the larval yield determined. For C. oncophora, the EPG was significantly higher in vacuum packed samples after 28 days as compared to normal storage, regardless of temperature. However, O. dentatum EPG was significantly higher in samples kept at 5 °C as compared to 20 °C, irrespective of packing. For the horse strongyles, vacuum packed samples at 5 °C had a significantly higher EPG compared to the other treatments after 28 days. The highest larval yield of O. dentatum and horse strongyles were obtained from fresh faecal samples, however, if storage is necessary prior to setting up larval cultures O. dentatum should be kept at room temperature (aerobic or anaerobic). However, horse strongyle coprocultures should ideally be set up on the day of collection to ensure maximum yield. Eggs of C. oncophora should be kept vacuum packed at room temperature for the highest larval yield.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2015-12-18 PubMed ID: 26827855DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.12.014Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research investigates the combined effect of vacuum packing and temperature on the survival of strongyle eggs in livestock feces and their subsequent ability to develop into larvae. The study found that vacuum packing and specific storage temperatures have differing effects on different types of helminths.
Study Design and Procedure
- Fecal samples were collected from calves, pigs, and horses knowingly infected with Cooperia oncophora, Oesophagostomum dentatum, and Strongylus vulgaris and cyathostomins, respectively.
- The samples underwent four different treatments: vacuum packed and stored at 5 °C or 20 °C; or packed normally in plastic gloves and stored at the same respective temperatures.
- The eggs per gram of feces (EPG) was measured every fourth day until the 28th day using a concentration McMaster-method.
- Larval cultures were prepared on day 0, 12, and 28 and the larval yield, or the number of larvae developed from the eggs, was determined.
Findings
- For Cooperia oncophora in calves, the EPG was significantly higher in vacuum packed samples after 28 days compared to normal storage, regardless of temperature.
- Oesophagostomum dentatum in pigs had significantly higher EPG in samples kept at 5 °C compared to 20 °C, irrespective of the packing method.
- For Strongylus vulgaris and cyathostomins in horses, vacuum packed samples at 5 °C showed a significantly higher EPG compared to other treatments after 28 days.
- The highest yield of larvae from Oesophagostomum dentatum and horse strongyles came from fresh fecal samples. However, if storage is necessary, Oesophagostomum dentatum samples should be kept at room temperature, irrespective of whether it is under aerobic or anaerobic conditions.
- Horse strongyle samples should be set up for larval culture on the day of collection for maximum yield.
- Eggs of Cooperia oncophora should be kept vacuum packed at room temperature for the highest larval yield.
Conclusion
- The research concludes that the survival and development of strongyle eggs are influenced by packaging and temperature conditions.
- Specific retained conditions are ideal for different types of helminths, suggesting custom strategies should be employed for the preservation and study of specific strongyles.
Cite This Article
APA
Sengupta ME, Thapa S, Thamsborg SM, Mejer H.
(2015).
Effect of vacuum packing and temperature on survival and hatching of strongyle eggs in faecal samples.
Vet Parasitol, 217, 21-24.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.12.014 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Section for Parasitology and Aquatic diseases Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
- Section for Parasitology and Aquatic diseases Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
- Section for Parasitology and Aquatic diseases Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
- Section for Parasitology and Aquatic diseases Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. Electronic address: msen@sund.ku.dk.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Feces / parasitology
- Horses
- Larva
- Ovum / physiology
- Parasite Egg Count / standards
- Specimen Handling / standards
- Specimen Handling / veterinary
- Strongyle Infections, Equine / diagnosis
- Strongyle Infections, Equine / parasitology
- Strongyloidea / physiology
- Temperature
- Vacuum
- Veterinary Medicine / methods
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Utaaker KS, Ytrehus B, Davey ML, Fossøy F, Davidson RK, Miller AL, Robertsen PA, Strand O, Rauset GR. Parasite Spillover from Domestic Sheep to Wild Reindeer-The Role of Salt Licks. Pathogens 2023 Jan 25;12(2).
- Morgan ER, Lanusse C, Rinaldi L, Charlier J, Vercruysse J. Confounding factors affecting faecal egg count reduction as a measure of anthelmintic efficacy. Parasite 2022;29:20.
- Ara I, Ahmed J, Dipta PM, Nath SD, Akter T, Adnan MR, Deb B, Alam S, Chowdhury QMMK, Husna A, Rahman MM, Rahman MM. Prevalence and severity of gastro-intestinal parasites in buffalo calves at Sylhet division of Bangladesh. J Parasit Dis 2021 Sep;45(3):620-626.
- Toohey-Kurth KL, Mulrooney DM, Hinkley S, Lea Killian M, Pedersen JC, Bounpheng MA, Pogranichniy R, Bolin S, Maes R, Tallmadge RL, Goodman LB, Crossley BM. Best practices for performance of real-time PCR assays in veterinary diagnostic laboratories. J Vet Diagn Invest 2020 Nov;32(6):815-825.
- Drag M, Höglund J, Nejsum P, Thamsborg SM, Enemark HL. The level of embryonation influences detection of Ostertagia ostertagi eggs by semi-quantitative PCR. Parasit Vectors 2016 Jun 29;9(1):368.
- Rijal S, Neuhaus P, Thorley J, Caulkett N, Kutz S, Ruckstuhl KE. Patterns of gastrointestinal parasite infections in bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis, with respect to host sex and seasonality. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024 Aug;24:100950.
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