Effects of sample homogenizing on the performance of an automated strongylid egg counting system.
Abstract: Fecal egg counts are essential monitoring tools in veterinary parasite control. In recent years, several groups have developed automated egg counting systems based on image analysis and deep learning algorithms. Work in our laboratory demonstrated that an automated system performed with significantly better precision than traditional egg counting techniques. However, while the counting process is no longer operator dependent, the pre-analytical homogenization steps still are. This study aimed at evaluating the influence of sample homogenization on diagnostic performance on an automated equine strongylid egg counting system. Samples were collected from 12 horses and assigned to three egg count categories (four samples per category): Low (0-500 eggs per gram (EPG)), Moderate (501-1000 EPG), and High (1001-2000 EPG). Within each category, all samples were divided into four portions and each was analyzed with the automated system using the following four homogenizing procedures using a homogenizing device supplied with the system: 1) pressing the plunger five times and pouring directly into the counting chamber, 2) pressing the plunger five times and shaking the bottle prior to pouring, 3) pressing the plunger ten times with direct pouring, and 4) pressing the plunger ten times with shaking the bottle before pouring. There were no differences in precision expressed as coefficient of variation between these four procedures but shaking of the bottle prior to pouring was significantly associated with higher counts (p = 0.0068). These results demonstrate that the homogenization process can affect the diagnostic performance of an automated egg counting system and suggest that more efforts should be invested in standardizing and optimizing homogenization procedures.
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2021-11-22 PubMed ID: 34837877DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109623Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- 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 article tackles the effects of different sample homogenization procedures on the diagnostic performance of an automated egg counting system developed to monitor veterinary parasite control in horses. The study shows that shaking the bottle prior to pouring during homogenization produces significantly higher egg counts.
Objective of the Research
- The primary goal of the research was to examine the influence of sample homogenization, a pre-analytical step, on the performance of an automated equine strongylid egg counting system – targeted for veterinary parasitic control monitoring.
Methodology and Experimentation
- Fecal samples were collected from 12 horses which were further categorized into three groups based on the egg count per gram (EPG): Low (0-500 EPG), Moderate (501-1000 EPG), and High (1001-2000 EPG).
- Within each category, all samples were divided into four portions, and each was analyzed with the automated system using four different homogenizing procedures provided by the same system. These procedures included combinations of pressing a plunger five or ten times and either pouring directly into the counting chamber or shaking the bottle before pouring.
Results and Findings
- Analysis revealed no significant differences in precision, as expressed by the coefficient of variation, among the four homogenizing procedures.
- However, the procedure that involved shaking the bottle before pouring led to statistically higher egg counts, indicating that the homogenization process can indeed affect the diagnostic performance of the automated egg counting system.
Implications and Conclusion
- The research highlights the importance of the homogenization process in the diagnostic performance of an automated egg counting system, suggesting the need for standardization and optimization of homogenization procedures.
- The significantly higher counts from the shaking procedure might indicate the possibility of more eggs being spread evenly in the sample, allowing for better detection, but more research is needed to confirm this.
Cite This Article
APA
Nielsen MK, Doran D, Slusarewicz P.
(2021).
Effects of sample homogenizing on the performance of an automated strongylid egg counting system.
Vet Parasitol, 300, 109623.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109623 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA. Electronic address: martin.nielsen@uky.edu.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, USA.
- MEP Equine Solutions, 3905 English Oak Circle, Lexington, KY, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Algorithms
- Animals
- Feces
- Horses
- Ovum
- Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
