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Veterinary parasitology2016; 221; 130-133; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.03.012

Testing storage methods of faecal samples for subsequent measurement of helminth egg numbers in the domestic horse.

Abstract: Parasite infection status, intensity and resistance have traditionally been quantified via flotation techniques, but the need for immediate analysis following defecation imposes limitations and has led to the use of several faecal storage techniques. However, their effect on nematode egg counts has not been systematically validated and is often generalised across taxa despite evidence of differences between species. Here, we take the domestic horse Equus ferus caballus as a model to examine the impact of commonly used storage techniques on egg recovery: 1) high and low concentrations of ethanol and formalin fixative solutions for up to four weeks and 2) refrigeration (3-5°C) over a two-week period. We found a significant decline in faecal egg counts (FEC) following storage in high and low concentrations of both fixative solutions after two weeks, which stabilised after four weeks, and this pattern was uniform across replicates. FECs remained relatively stable over a week of refrigeration, but declined when refrigeration exceeded 8 days. Prior to FEC analysis, we recommend sample refrigeration for no more than one week. Storage in either fixative solution is sub-optimal for the preservation of nematode eggs, although the uniformity of the decline across samples could hold potential for projective calculation of parasite egg shedding when storage time is effectively controlled for.
Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2016-03-16 PubMed ID: 27084484DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.03.012Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

This research investigates the impact of different storage techniques on the measurement of helminth egg count in horse faeces. The paper concludes that refrigeration for no more than one week is recommended before analysis, and that traditional fixative solutions are sub-optimal for egg preservation, though they could be used with adjustments for known decline rates.

Understanding the Importance of the Study

  • This study aims to find out how different storage techniques affect the ability to measure helminth egg counts in horse faeces. Helminths are parasitic worms, and researchers need to observe the number of eggs in the animal’s faeces to understand the parasite’s infection rate, intensity, and the host’s resistance.
  • The traditional way to study parasite egg numbers is via flotation techniques, but these require immediate analysis post-defecation. This immediacy isn’t always achievable, hence the need for storage options. However, the effects of these storage techniques on egg count have not been systematically validated, which leaves room for inaccurate or inconsistent data.

Research Methodology

  • Using the domestic horse as its model, the research studied two main storage options. The first one is the use of high and low concentrations of ethanol and formalin solutions, and the second one is refrigeration at 3-5°C. They explored these methods’ effects over periods up to four weeks and over a two-week period, respectively.

Research Findings

  • The study found that storing faecal samples in both fixative solutions for two weeks significantly reduced the faecal egg count (FEC). This reduction stabilized after four weeks, and the pattern was consistent across all tested samples.
  • While egg counts remained stable when refrigerated for a week, a decline was noted when refrigeration exceeded 8 days. Hence, the study suggests that fecal samples should be refrigerated for no more than a week before analysis.

Recommendations

  • Based on the observations, the researchers suggested that neither high nor low concentrations of ethanol or formalin solutions are optimal for preserving nematode eggs for egg count analysis due to the noted decline in egg count. Yet, these storage methods could still be used, considering the consistent pattern of egg count decrease they observed across all samples over time. Researchers may adjust their measurements to account for this known rate of decline when analyzing sample data.
  • The researchers found refrigeration to be a superior storage method, recommending it for no longer than a week before conducting FEC analysis. Beyond a week, the decline in egg count can give altered data.

Cite This Article

APA
Crawley JA, Chapman SN, Lummaa V, Lynsdale CL. (2016). Testing storage methods of faecal samples for subsequent measurement of helminth egg numbers in the domestic horse. Vet Parasitol, 221, 130-133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.03.012

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 1873-2550
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 221
Pages: 130-133
PII: S0304-4017(16)30065-6

Researcher Affiliations

Crawley, Jennie A H
  • Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, Alfred Denny Building, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK. Electronic address: jahcrawley1@gmail.com.
Chapman, Simon N
  • Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, Alfred Denny Building, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.
Lummaa, Virpi
  • Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, Alfred Denny Building, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK; Department of Biology, University of Turku, FIN-20014 Turku, Finland.
Lynsdale, Carly L
  • Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, Alfred Denny Building, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Ethanol / pharmacology
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Fixatives / pharmacology
  • Formaldehyde / pharmacology
  • Helminthiasis, Animal / diagnosis
  • Helminthiasis, Animal / parasitology
  • Helminths / drug effects
  • Helminths / physiology
  • Horses
  • Parasite Egg Count / standards
  • Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
  • Refrigeration / standards
  • Specimen Handling / methods
  • Specimen Handling / standards

Citations

This article has been cited 18 times.
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