The recovery of added nematode eggs from horse and sheep faeces by three methods.
Abstract: Nematode infections in horses are widespread across the world. Increasing levels of anthelmintic resistance, reported worldwide in equine parasites, have led to the creation of programs for the control of nematodes based on faecal egg counts (FEC). To improve nematode egg counting in equine faecal samples and establish whether the matrix of equine faeces or the eggs affect the counts, the analytical sensitivity, accuracy and precision of Mini-FLOTAC (combined with Fill-FLOTAC), McMaster and Cornell-Wisconsin techniques were compared. Known numbers of eggs extracted from equine or ovine faeces were added to egg free ovine and equine faeces to give counts of 10, 50, 200 and 500 eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces. Results: The Cornell-Wisconsin significantly underestimated egg counts and McMaster showed a low analytical sensitivity, revealing 100% of sensitivity only for concentrations greater than 200 EPG. EPG values detected by Mini-FLOTAC did not differ significantly from expected counts at any level of egg density. Conclusions: Mini-FLOTAC combined to Fill-FLOTAC which provides an accurate method of weighing without need for a balance and filtering out debris, could be used for FEC on the farm as well as in the laboratory.
Publication Date: 2018-01-05 PubMed ID: 29304858PubMed Central: PMC5756441DOI: 10.1186/s12917-017-1326-7Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Anthelmintic Resistance
- Comparative Study
- Diagnosis
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease
- Disease control
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Management
- Epidemiology
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Fecal Egg Count
- Horses
- Infection
- Laboratory Methods
- Nematodes
- Parasites
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Procedure
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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The research paper discusses the comparison of three techniques (Mini-FLOTAC, McMaster, and Cornell-Wisconsin) for accurately counting nematode eggs in horse and sheep fecal matter, with Mini-FLOTAC being suggested as the most effective method.
Objective of the Study
- The study primarily aims at improving the tactics for counting nematode egg counts in equine faecal samples. It does this by testing the sensitivity, precision, and accuracy of three methodologies: Mini-FLOTAC, McMaster, and Cornell-Wisconsin.
- The research also seeks to establish whether the type of faeces (equine or ovine) or the eggs themselves have an effect on the counts.
Methodology
- Known numbers of nematode eggs extracted from sheep or horse feces were added to egg-free ovine and equine feces. This was done to achieve counts of 10, 50, 200, and 500 eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces.
- These counts were then subjected to the three different techniques for comparison.
Results
- The findings of the experiment indicated that the Cornell-Wisconsin method significantly underestimated the egg counts, thereby affecting its accuracy.
- The second method, McMaster, showed a low analytical sensitivity, only being 100% sensitive when the egg density was above 200 EPG.
- Conversely, Mini-FLOTAC showed no significant variation from the anticipated egg counts at any egg density levels, marking it as the most reliable technique.
Conclusions
- Given the results, the study postulates that the Mini-FLOTAC method, when paired with Fill-FLOTAC (a method enabling accurate weighing without the need for a balance and filtering out debris), is the best-suited tool for fecal egg counts.
- This combination could be utilized both in laboratories as well as directly on farms, offering a practical solution to combating increasing levels of anthelmintic resistance in equine parasites worldwide.
Significance of the Study
- The research plays a significant role in the global effort to manage nematode infections in animals. By recommending an accurate technique for fecal egg counts, it offers a tangible and effective method for controlling nematode infections.
- It further sheds light on the varying efficacy of different existing methods, helping streamline efforts and resources in the right direction.
Cite This Article
APA
Bosco A, Maurelli MP, Ianniello D, Morgoglione ME, Amadesi A, Coles GC, Cringoli G, Rinaldi L.
(2018).
The recovery of added nematode eggs from horse and sheep faeces by three methods.
BMC Vet Res, 14(1), 7.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-017-1326-7 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR Campania Region, Naples, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR Campania Region, Naples, Italy. mariapaola.maurelli@unina.it.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR Campania Region, Naples, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR Campania Region, Naples, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR Campania Region, Naples, Italy.
- University of Bristol, School of Veterinary Sciences, Langford House, Bristol, BS40 5DU, UK.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR Campania Region, Naples, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR Campania Region, Naples, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Feces / parasitology
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- Nematoda
- Nematode Infections / diagnosis
- Nematode Infections / veterinary
- Parasite Egg Count / methods
- Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
- Reproducibility of Results
- Sheep
- Sheep Diseases / diagnosis
- Sheep Diseases / parasitology
- Specimen Handling / methods
- Specimen Handling / veterinary
Conflict of Interest Statement
ETHICS APPROVAL AND CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE: We have obtained verbal informed consent from the owners of animals to collect the faecal samples. CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION: Not applicable COMPETING INTERESTS: The FLOTAC and Mini-FLOTAC apparatus have been developed and are patented by G. Cringoli, but the patent will be handed over to the University of Naples Federico II. The fact that one of the authors is the current patent holder of the FLOTAC and Mini-FLOTAC apparatus played no role in the preparation and submission of the manuscript. Laura Rinaldi is a member of the editorial board (Section Editor) for BMC Veterinary Research, it didn’t influence the reviewers. The remaining authors have no competing financial interests. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
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