Comparison of Fecal Flotation Media and Methods

摘要

Although many methods exist for detecting parasite in feces, fecal flotation is the primary method used in small animal veterinary practice to detect intestinal parasites. It is therefore imperative that fecal flotation be easy to conduct and that itaccurately diagnose parasitic infection, thereby facilitating appropriate treatment of the host-to prevent the spread of potential zoonotic diseases and other parasites of domestic animals. Few studies have been conducted to determine whether use of anyone flotation method is preferable in terms of providing sound diagnostic results. Fecal samples from 60 adult dogs and 40 puppies from Alachua County Animal Services in Gainesville, Florida, were tested for parasite ova using standing flotation and centrifugation with flotation (CF) methods. Sodium nitrate and Sheather's sugar were used as flotation media. The numbers of helminth eggs and cocddian oocysts recovered using each medium with each method were counted and compared to determine the most effective method and medium for diagnosing parasite infection. A significant difference in the number of eggs floated by each medium was found when standing flotation was used. However, no statistical difference was detected between media or methods in the number of infections diagnosed.