Laboratory Procedure Protocols For Parasitological Sample Collection Processing
Laboratory Procedure Protocols For Parasitological Sample Collection Processing
Dr.Kedar Karki
Parasitology unit, Tripureswor
Central Veterinary Laboratory
Introduction
• To diagnose gastro-intestinal parasites of ruminants, the
parasites or their eggs/larvae must be recovered from
the digestive tract of the animal or from faecal material.
These are subsequently identified and quantified. The
following are the main tasks involved in this process:
• 1.Collection of faecal samples
2.Separation of eggs/larvae from faecal material, and
their concentration
3. Microscopical examination of prepared specimens
4. Preparation of faecal cultures
5 Isolation and identification of larvae from cultures
basic limitations of faecal
examination in the diagnosis of
gastro-intestinal parasitism.
• (a) The demonstration of parasite eggs or larvae in the
faeces provides positive evidence that an animal is
infected but does not indicate the degree of an infection.
• (b) The failure to demonstrate eggs or larvae does not
necessarily mean that no parasites are present; they
may be present in an immature stage or the test used
may not be sufficiently sensitive.
• (c) There is generally no correlation between the
numbers of eggs/larvae per gram of faeces and the
number of adult nematodes present in cattle. An
exception to this may occur in a primary infection in
young grazing animals during their first exposure. There
are some indications that the correlation is stronger in
sheep and goats with mixed infections.
Various factors limiting the
accuracy and significance of a
faecal egg count.
• (a) There is a fairly regular fluctuation in
faecal egg output.
• (b) Eggs are not evenly distributed
throughout the faeces.
• (c) The quantity of faeces passed will
affect the number of eggs per unit weight.
Various factors limiting the
accuracy and significance of a
faecal egg count.
• (d) The egg output is influenced by the
season of the year (large infections may
be acquired during rainy seasons).
• (e) The resistance of the host can depress
or entirely inhibit the egg production of
parasites.
Various factors limiting the
accuracy and significance of a
faecal egg count.
• (f) Immature worms do not indicate their
presence by producing eggs.
• (g) Immunity may result in a marked
extension of the prepatent period and a
lower egg output by female parasites.
Various factors limiting the
accuracy and significance of a
faecal egg count.
• (h) An egg count often refers to the total
number of eggs of a mixture of species,
which differ widely both in their biotic
potential and their pathogenicity.
• (i) Eggs may not be detected due to low
numbers of them or to a low test
sensitivity.
Collection of faecal samples:
• Faecal samples for parasitological examination
Water 1000 ml
Sugar Q.S.
Water 1000 ml
Water 1000 ml
Sugar 500 g