Diagnosis of bovine gastrointestinal parasites: comparison of different techniques and different solutions 

Abstract

OBJECTIVES : Cattle are important livestock species in Nigeria. But disease agents, especially gastrointestinal (GI) parasites, hinder their productivity. Non availability of rapid and affordable tools for GI parasite diagnosis poses problem to practitioners thus, the use of rapid, highly sensitive diagnostic techniques is required. One hundred faecal samples from cattle were analyzed through Simple Faecal Flotation (SFF), Modified Centrifugal Faecal Flotation (MCFF) and Mini-FLOTAC ® techniques (MFT) using Sodium Chloride, Brine, Sugar, Salt/Sugar and Zinc Sulphate at specific gravity of 1.2, 1.23, 1.25, 1.3 and 1.3 respectively as Flotation Solutions (FS). RESULTS : 100% GI parasite prevalence of was recorded with the following distribution: Strongyle (99%), Strongyloides spp (97%), Neoascaris vitulorum (78%), Trichostrongylus (56%), Nematodirus (46%), Capillaria spp (14%) and Trichuris spp (6%), Moniezia benedini (24%), Moniezia expansa (16%) , Taenia-like egg (3%), Schistosoma eggs (3%) and Eimeria oocyst (100%). Using Salt/Sugar the sensitivity of the techniques was 61.99%, 58.49% and 54.24%. for MFT, SFF and MCFF respectively. Considering the sensitivity of Salt/Sugar FS with availability and affordability its use as a routine FS is advocated. The ease and rapid use of Mini-FLOTAC in low economy country in addition to safety of diagnostic staff and the possibility of re-usage.

Prevalence, coinfection, and risk factors associated with Fasciola hepatica and other gastrointestinal parasites in cattle from the Peruvian Amazon

“…Based on this information, differences in the parasite prevalence rates reported in animals are due to the use of immunological or coprological diagnostic tests. The former is much more sensitive and specific than the latter (which does not allow robust identification) [ 16 , 43 ]. However, in South America, coprological tests are frequently used as immunological tests are expensive and require a significantly large sample size.…”

Prevalence and infection risk factors of bovine Eimeria in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Compared with the four flotation options of Brine, Saturated sugar solution, Zinc sulphate solution and Sodium chloride Solution, the Mini-FLOTAC technique using salt/sugar solution is more sensitive and convenient, especially in mixed infections. In addition, this method is suitable for laboratories with limited resources [ 4 ]. Traditional fecal testing methods are usually used to identify oocysts.…”

Efficacy of decoquinate in pelleted feed in case of eimeriosis in lambs

“…According to F.A. Akande and A.M. Philip (2020) [7], the invasiveness of eimeria substantially depends on the way lambs are kept in farms. Thus, in case of group keeping of animals, when they are actively in contact with each other from the first day of life, the invasion intensiveness of Eimeria increases by Days 14-21 or subsequently -by Days 25-35.…”

“…However, their use does not always give the desired therapeutic effect. Specialists of the veterinary service most often use antiparasitic preparations, which, combined with therapeutic properties, show immunostimulating efficacy on the animal body [7]. Therefore, despite the scientific results already obtained, eimeriosis of lambs still does not lose its relevance today.…”