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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Potassium carbonate as an alternative solution for detecting...
BMC veterinary research2025; 22(1); 30; doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-05226-5

Potassium carbonate as an alternative solution for detecting Anoplocephalid eggs in horse faecal samples.

Abstract: Anoplocephalid species are responsible for causing tapeworm infection in horses. The disease may cause serious health issues, including discomfort, colic, and even intestinal perforation and death. A study was carried out to compare the detection rates of tapeworm eggs in naturally infected horses using two different examination solutions. For this purpose, faecal samples of 241 horses were examined with a combined sedimentation + centrifugation + flotation technique using saturated sugar solution (specific gravity (SG) = 1.30) as the basis and potassium carbonate (KCO) solution (SG = 1.45). Tapeworm eggs were detected in 43 samples in saturated sugar solution and 59 samples in potassium carbonate solution ( < 0.05), whereas 42 samples were detected egg-positive in either. The potassium carbonate solution detected significantly more positive samples than the saturated sugar solution ( < 0.05). According to the results, potassium carbonate, as a non-toxic and high-density solution, can be a feasible alternative for detecting tapeworm eggs in horses.
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Publication Date: 2025-12-22 PubMed ID: 41430231PubMed Central: PMC12817757DOI: 10.1186/s12917-025-05226-5Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

Overview

  • This study evaluates the use of potassium carbonate solution to detect tapeworm eggs in horse feces and compares its efficacy to that of a traditional saturated sugar solution.
  • The results suggest that potassium carbonate is more effective for detecting infections caused by Anoplocephalid tapeworms in horses.

Background

  • Anoplocephalid species are tapeworms that infect horses, causing health problems like discomfort, colic, intestinal perforation, and even death.
  • Detecting the presence of tapeworm eggs in horse feces is important for diagnosing tapeworm infections.
  • Traditional methods use solutions like saturated sugar for egg flotation during microscopic examination of fecal samples.

Objective of the Study

  • To compare the effectiveness of potassium carbonate (KCO) solution versus saturated sugar solution in detecting Anoplocephalid eggs in horse feces.
  • Both solutions were used in a combined sedimentation, centrifugation, and flotation protocol.

Methodology

  • Samples: Fecal samples were collected from 241 naturally infected horses.
  • Solutions tested:
    • Saturated sugar solution with a specific gravity (SG) of 1.30 (traditional method).
    • Potassium carbonate solution with a higher specific gravity (SG) of 1.45 (alternative method).
  • Procedure: Both solutions were used with a combined sedimentation, centrifugation, and flotation technique to concentrate and detect tapeworm eggs under the microscope.

Results

  • Detection in saturated sugar solution: 43 positive samples.
  • Detection in potassium carbonate solution: 59 positive samples.
  • Both solutions detected eggs in 42 of the same samples.
  • Significant difference in detection rates (p-value < 0.05), indicating potassium carbonate detected more positive samples.

Interpretation of Results

  • The higher specific gravity of potassium carbonate solution likely helps in better flotation and recovery of tapeworm eggs.
  • Potassium carbonate solution’s non-toxic nature makes it a safer alternative compared to many other flotation solutions.
  • Increased detection rates may improve diagnostic accuracy and subsequently better treatment planning for horses infected with tapeworms.

Conclusions

  • Potassium carbonate solution is a viable alternative to saturated sugar solution for the detection of Anoplocephalid eggs in horse feces.
  • Its higher density and safety profile contribute to improved detection rates.
  • This method can potentially lead to better management and control of tapeworm infections in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Girisgin O, Gülegen E, Girisgin AO, Cirak VY. (2025). Potassium carbonate as an alternative solution for detecting Anoplocephalid eggs in horse faecal samples. BMC Vet Res, 22(1), 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-05226-5

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 22
Issue: 1
Pages: 30
PII: 30

Researcher Affiliations

Girisgin, Oya
  • Karacabey Vocational School, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Türkiye.
Gülegen, Ender
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Türkiye.
Girisgin, Ahmet Onur
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Türkiye. aogirisgin@uludag.edu.tr.
Cirak, Veli Yilgor
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Türkiye.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study involved non-invasive faecal sampling from horses. According to Regulation on the Working Procedures and Principles of the Animal Experiments Ethics Committees of the Animal Protection Law No. 5199-Article 8/K of the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, ethics committee approval was not required for this type of research. Permission to collect samples was obtained from the farm owners prior to sampling. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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