Evaluation of Techniques for the Enumeration of Dicrocoelium Eggs in Sheep Faeces

Abstract

To evaluate the accuracy of quantitative techniques for the enumeration of Dicrocoelium dendriticum eggs in faeces, eggs were added to fluke free sheep faeces to achieve densities of 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 or 800 eggs per gram (epg) (5 replicates per density). The faecal egg counts were determined by a modified McMaster method (WETZEL, 1951) utilizing solutions of ZnSO 4 (sp. g. 1.3 and 1.45), K 2 CO 3 (sp. g. 1.45) and HgI 2 /KI (sp. g. 1.44) for flotation or by a sedimentation technique (4 sedimentation processes of 45 min each). The influence of flotation time on egg counts was assessed by counting the eggs 3-5, 15-20, 30-35, 45-50 and 60-65 min after loading the McMaster chamber. The results were expressed as percentage rate of recovery.Significant best rate of recovery, 91.2 2 9.4 %, was achieved using HgI 2 /KI solution for flotation and there was no significant influence of flotation time on the egg count. Utilizing ZnSO 4 solutions and K 2 CO 3 solution for flotation the rates of recovery for Dicrocoelium eggs were 9.0 2 7.1 %, 26.7 2 24.9 % and 13.0 2 11.6 %, respectively, and a flotation time of more than 3-5 min did significantly increase the number of floated eggs. The rate of recovery for Dicrocoelium eggs using the sedimentation technique was 41.2 2 1.5 %.U.S.

Chronic Wasting Due to Liver and Rumen Flukes in Sheep

“…in faecal samples cannot reliably be detected using a sedimentation method [ 53 ]. In a study from 1999, a modified McMaster method using a HgI 2 /KI solution (specific gravity 1.44) for flotation showed significantly better results than the sedimentation technique or a flotation using ZnSO 4 solutions (specific gravity 1.3 and 1.45) or K₂CO₃ (specific gravity 1.45) [ 72 ]. Similar to Fasciola spp., serum samples can be examined for antibodies against Dircocoelium spp.…”

The health effects of wastewater on the prevalence of ascariasis among the children of the discharge zone of El Jadida, Morocco

“…Ascaris ova were clarified from faeces using zinc sulphate flotation and quantified using a photon microscope (100x magnification) and Mac Master counting chamber (Bailenger et al 1977). In order to get the maximum egg adhesion on the squared surface of the upper cover glass of the counting chamber, the eggs were counted within five minutes of loading the cell (Rehbein et al 1999). The data was statistically analysed using the Epi-Info 2002 software.…”

Impact of urban effluents on intestinal helminth infections in the wastewater discharge zone of the city of El Jadida, Morocco

“…The eggs were visualized microscopically at 100 percent magnification, using a Mac Master counting chamber (Whitlock and Gordon, 1939). In order to get the maximum egg adhesion on the squared surface of the upper cover glass of the counting chamber, the eggs are counted within five minutes of loading the cell (Rehbein et al, 1999).…”