Preliminary evaluation of a novel, fully automated, Telenostic device for rapid field-diagnosis of cattle parasites

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>New ideas for diagnostics in clinical parasitology are needed to overcome some of the difficulties experienced in the widespread adoption of detection methods for gastrointestinal parasites in livestock. Here we provide an initial evaluation of the performance of a newly developed automated device (Telenostic) to identify and quantify parasitic elements in fecal samples. This study compared the Telenostic device with the McMaster and Mini-FLOTAC for counting of strongyle eggs in a fecal sample. Three bovine fecal samples were examined, in triplicate, on each of the three fecal egg-counting devices. In addition, both manual (laboratory technician) and automated analysis (image analysis algorithm) were performed on the Telenostic device to calculate fecal egg counts (FEC). Overall, there were consistent egg counts reported across the three devices and calculation methods. The Telenostic device compared very favourably to the Mini-FLOTAC and McMaster. Only in sample C, a significant difference (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> &lt; 0.05) was observed between the egg counts obtained by Mini-FLOTAC and by the other methods. From this limited dataset it can be concluded that the Telenostic-automated test is comparable to currently used benchmark FEC methods, while improving the workflow, test turn-around time and not requiring trained laboratory personnel to operate or interpret the results.</jats:p>

Comparison of FECPAKG2, a modified Mini-FLOTAC technique and combined sedimentation and flotation for the coproscopic examination of helminth eggs in horses

“…For manual counting methods, such as those presented here, the time required to process a sample is directly related to labour costs, and high raw egg counts can be expected to increase the time required for counting. Recently developed automated counting methods, such as the Kubic FLOTAC [ 69 ], Parasight [ 15 , 38 , 70 ] or Telenostic for cattle [ 71 ], as well as smartphone-based solutions are currently being investigated and developed [ 15 , 72 ]. The advantages of automated counting processes are shorter hands-on times, reduced requirements of personnel skills and training, lower personnel costs, reduced material costs and a reduced need for spatial capacities [ 23 , 73 – 79 ].…”

A comparison of Mini-FLOTAC and McMaster techniques, overdispersion and prevalence of parasites in naturally infected North American bison (Bison bison) in the USA

“…Several studies comparing the Mini-FLOTAC and the McMaster techniques have focused on strongyle egg counts. In ruminants, such comparisons have been performed on cattle samples ( Bosco et al., 2014 ; Dias de Castro et al., 2017 ; Paras et al., 2018 ; Amadesi et al., 2020 ; Elghryani et al., 2020 ), sheep samples ( Rinaldi et al., 2014 ; Kenyon et al., 2016 ; Bosco et al., 2018 ; Paras et al., 2018 ; Alowanou et al., 2021 ; Vieira et al., 2021 ), goat samples ( Silva et al., 2020 ; Alowanou et al., 2021 ; Vieira et al., 2021 ) and llama samples ( Paras et al., 2018 ). Eimeria spp.…”

Parasite faecal egg counts in equine veterinary practice

“…More recently, computerised image analysis technologies have been developed for automated faecal egg counting and systems now exist for cattle (Elghryani et al., 2020), small animals (Nagamori et al., 2020) and horses (Slusarewicz et al., 2016). These systems have the advantage of their performance being independent of operator training and skill and have been shown to perform with significantly better precision (Cain et al., 2021).…”