Mini-FLOTAC and McMaster egg counting method for detection of gastrointestinal parasites in small ruminants: a comparison study

The proper diagnosis of gastrointestinal parasites of small ruminants requires the development of multivalent techniques characterized by high sensitivity, specificity, precision, reproducibility, and the ability to quickly detect and monitor infections that pose risks to animal health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of Mini-FLOTAC technique and McMaster egg counting (gold standard) in the detection of gastrointestinal parasites of goats and sheep. A total of 789 fecal samples were analyzed (401 of sheep and 388 of goats). From those, nematode eggs were detected in 80.86% (638/789), being 72.57% (291/401) from sheep and 89.43% (347/388) from goats. The Mini-FLOTAC technique presented a better performance to detect helminth eggs in both goats (88.40%; 343/388) and sheep (71.57%; 287/401) (?2 = 10.358; p < 0.0001). Kappa analysis revealed a weak concordance between techniques for goats (k = 0.342; p < 0.001) and sheep (k = 0.281; p < 0.001). Data herein reported suggests that the Mini-FLOTAC is a technique more sensitive than the McMaster egg counting, therefore its use might be adopted for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal infection in small ruminants.

Download Full-text

Occurrence of eggs and oocysts of gastrointestinal parasites in passerine birds kept in captivity in Para State, Brazil

Ciência Rural ◽

10.1590/0103-8478cr20160081 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 46 (12) ◽

pp. 2177-2181

Author(s):

Paulo Cesar Magalhães-Matos ◽

Michele Bahia do Vale Silva ◽

Paulo Geovani Silva Souza ◽

Danillo Henrique da Silva Lima ◽

Rodrigo de Morais ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sucrose Solution ◽

Potassium Dichromate ◽

Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽

Intestinal Helminths ◽

Passerine Birds ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

Helminth Eggs ◽

In Captivity ◽

Nematode Eggs ◽

Centrifugation Technique

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to detect helminth eggs and protozoan oocysts in samples of feces from birds of the order Passeriformes in Para State, Brazil. Fecal samples were collected individually from 403 passerine birds seized and kept in captivity in Para State. Samples were processed by the double centrifugation technique in saturated sucrose solution and the coccidial oocyst-positive samples were submitted to sporulation in potassium dichromate 2.0%. Helminth eggs and/or protozoan oocysts were observed in 43.18% (174/403) of the fecal samples examined. Coccidial oocysts were detected in 93.68% (163/174) of the positive samples, whereas helminth eggs were observed in 10.34% (18/174) of the positive samples. Oocyst sporulation occurred in 43.56% (71/163) of the samples, and only Isospora spp. oocysts were detected. Nematode eggs of the superfamilies Trichostrongyloidea (4.60%; 8/174), Ascaridoidea (0.57%; 1/174), and Trichuroidea (0.57%; 1/174) were diagnosed in the positive samples. Cestoda eggs were diagnosed in 2.87% (5/174), whereas Trematoda eggs were detected in 2.30% (4/174) of positive samples. Passerine birds seized and kept in captivity in the visited local presented parasitism by intestinal helminths and protozoan, with a predominance of infection with coccidia of the gender Isospora.

Download Full-text

Improved Traditional Drugs: State of knowledge for the sustainable management of gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes of small ruminants

Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics ◽

10.22270/jddt.v11i2-s.4811 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2-S) ◽

pp. 205-210

Author(s):

Christian C DANSOU ◽

Julienne KUISEU ◽

Géraldo T. HOUMENOU ◽

Lissette H. DEGLA ◽

Fréjus T. A. ZINSOU ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Management ◽

Animal Health ◽

Central Africa ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽

Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽

Parasitic Nematodes ◽

Plant Parts ◽

Current State ◽

Literature Searches

This article aims to present the current state of the fight against gastrointestinal parasites in small ruminants from Improved Traditional Drugs (DTI). A host of scientific documents were consulted by means of search engines to gather the information useful for this synthesis. The failure of conventional treatments has led to the use of new methods to treat digestive pathologies due to internal parasitism in herds of sheep and goats. These include, among others, herbal medicine, homeopathy, aromatherapy, the mixed grazing system for small and large ruminants, ... All plant parts of plants can be used in the preparation of remedies. Several scientific studies show that plants are full of chemical compounds that cause anthelmintic effects on gastrointestinal parasites in small ruminants. Literature searches have revealed that studies on DTIs in the management of gastrointestinal nematodes in small ruminants are non-existent. In addition to the forms (decocted, macerated, infused, etc.) traditionally used by breeders, there are other forms that can be used to make DTIs from plant extracts. There are capsules, capsules, tablets etc. The placing on the market of DTIs requires official authorization based on the safety and reproducibility of the products. From the documents consulted, it appears that scientific research has not yet focused on the formulation of DTIs for the treatment of gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes in small ruminants. It will be useful to manufacture them to facilitate access to veterinary care and the sustainable management of animal health. Keywords: Improved Traditional Drugs; Gastrointestinal nematodes; Small ruminants, West Africa; Central Africa.

Download Full-text

TO SEPARATELY ASSESS THE DIAGNOSTIC POTENTIAL OF TVS & MRI IN THE TERMS OF SENSITIVITY AND SPECIFICITY BY CORRELATING THE IMAGING FINDINGS WITH HISTOPATHOLOGY

International Journal of Medical and Biomedical Studies ◽

10.32553/ijmbs.v4i6.1209 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Suraj Mathur

Keyword(s):

Transvaginal Ultrasound ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Imaging Evaluation ◽

Medical College ◽

Conventional Mri ◽

Diagnostic Potential ◽

Adc Mapping ◽

Malignant Lesions ◽

Sensitivity Specificity

This prospective study was done in the Department of Radio diagnosis Govt. Medical College, Kozhikode. A total of 65 patients who were referred to our department with clinical suspicion of endometrial lesions and incidentally detected endometrial lesions on ultrasonography underwent transvaginal ultrasound and subsequent Imaging evaluation of pelvis MRI has very high sensitivity (95%) and specificity (98%) and is almost as accurate (97%) as histopathology in differentiating benign from malignant lesions. Addition of DWI with ADC mapping to conventional MRI increases its accuracy even more. However there is inherent limitation to MRI in detecting carcinoma in situ and micrometastasis. Keywords: TVS, MRI, Sensitivity, Specificity, Histopathology.

Download Full-text

Eﬃcacy of anthelmintic Eprimek against gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep

Russian Journal of Parasitology ◽

10.31016/1998-8435-2020-14-4-99-103 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 99-103

Author(s):

V. I. Kolesnikov

Keyword(s):

Live Weight ◽

Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽

Production Environment ◽

Control Groups ◽

The North ◽

Helminth Eggs ◽

Nematode Eggs ◽

Flotation Technique ◽

And Control ◽

Experimental Group

The purpose of the research is studying the eﬃcacy of Eprimek (Eprinomectin) against gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep.Materials and methods. A commercial experiment to study the antiparasitic eﬃcacy of Eprimek was carried out in June 2020 on 300 lambs of the North Caucasian breed in a private flock of Filimonovskaya Village, Izobilnensky District, the Stavropol Territory, which were divided into two groups. The experimental group of lambs (290 animals) was injected Eprimek subcutaneously at the earset at a dose of 1 ml/50 kg of live weight (10 mg of Eprinomectin in 1 ml), and 10 lambs were not treated; they were used as control. We collected feces from the lambs of the experimental and control groups before administration of the drugs and after 15 and 30 days. Fecal samples were examined by the flotation technique with a saturated solution of ammonium nitrate with counting nematode eggs in 1 g of feces. The results were processed statistically.Results and discussion. Eprimek showed a decrease in the number of excreted helminth eggs from 225.1±28.2 to 4.1±2.3 in production environment at a dose of 1 ml/50 kg of live weight, according to coprological studies on the 15th day after treatment in the experimental group of lambs. The eﬃcacy was 98.2%, and 70% of the animals were free from the infection. The intensity of infection of the control lambs by gastrointestinal nematodes was 131–151 eggs per 1 g of feces at 100% prevalence.

Download Full-text

Viability of nematode eggs in high rate algal ponds: the effect of physico-chemical conditions

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2000.0683 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 42 (10-11) ◽

pp. 371-374 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

S. Araki ◽

J. M. González ◽

E. de Luis ◽

E. Bécares

Keyword(s):

Hydraulic Retention Time ◽

Pilot Scale ◽

High Rate ◽

Sterile Water ◽

Egg Viability ◽

High Rate Algal Ponds ◽

Helminth Eggs ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Nematode Eggs ◽

Chemical Conditions

The viability of Parascaris equorum eggs was studied in two experimental pilot-scale high-rate algal ponds (HRAPs) working in parallel with 4 and 10 days hydraulic retention time respectively. Semi-permeable bags of cellulose (15000 daltons pore size) were used to study the effect of physico-chemical conditions on the survival of these helminth eggs. Three thousand eggs were used in each bag. Replicates of these bags were submerged for 4 and 10 days in the HRAPs and egg viability was compared with that in control bags submerged in sterile water. After 4 days exposure, 60% reduction in viability was achieved, reaching 90% after 10 days, much higher than the 16% and 25% found in the control bags for 4 and 10 days respectively. Ionic conditions of the HRAP may have been responsible for up to 50–60% of the egg mortality, suggesting that mortality due to the ionic environment could be more important than physical retention and other potential removal factors.

Download Full-text

Use of β-D-glucan in diagnosis of suspected Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in adults with HIV infection

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1177/09564624211022247 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 095646242110222

Author(s):

Thomas Juniper ◽

Chris P Eades ◽

Eliza Gil ◽

Harriet Fodder ◽

Killian Quinn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Predictive Value ◽

Diagnostic Tests ◽

Elevated Serum ◽

Clinical Information ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Pneumocystis Pneumonia ◽

Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia ◽

Alternative Diagnosis ◽

Positive Threshold ◽

Sensitivity Specificity

Objectives: An elevated serum (1-3)-β-D-glucan (BDG) concentration has high sensitivity for a diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in people with HIV (PWH). At the current manufacturer-recommended positive threshold of 80 pg/mL (Fungitell), specificity for PCP is variable and other diagnostic tests are required. We evaluated the utility of serum BDG for diagnosis of suspected PCP in PWH at three inner-London hospitals to determine BDG concentrations for diagnosis and exclusion of PCP. Methods: From clinical case records, we abstracted demographic and clinical information and categorised patients as having confirmed or probable PCP, or an alternative diagnosis. We calculated sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of serum BDG concentrations >400 pg/mL and negative predictive value (NPV) of BDG <80 pg/mL. Results: 76 patients were included; 29 had laboratory-confirmed PCP, 17 had probable PCP and 30 had an alternative diagnosis. Serum BDG >400 pg/mL had a sensitivity of 83%, specificity of 97% and PPV 97% for diagnosis of PCP; BDG <80 pg/mL had 100% NPV for exclusion of PCP. Conclusions: In PWH with suspected PCP, BDG <80 pg/mL excludes a diagnosis of PCP, whereas BDG concentrations >400 pg/mL effectively confirm the diagnosis. Values 80–400 pg/mL should prompt additional diagnostic tests.

Download Full-text

The Child Behavior Checklist as a Screening Instrument for PTSD in Refugee Children

Children ◽

10.3390/children8060521 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 521

Author(s):

Ina Nehring ◽

Heribert Sattel ◽

Maesa Al-Hallak ◽

Martin Sack ◽

Peter Henningsen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Child Behavior ◽

Child Behavior Checklist ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Roc Curves ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Screening Instrument ◽

Screening Tools ◽

Refugee Children ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Sensitivity Specificity

Thousands of refugees who have entered Europe experienced threatening conditions, potentially leading to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which has to be detected and treated early to avoid chronic manifestation, especially in children. We aimed to evaluate and test suitable screening tools to detect PTSD in children. Syrian refugee children aged 4–14 years were examined using the PTSD-semi-structured interview, the Kinder-DIPS, and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The latter was evaluated as a potential screening tool for PTSD using (i) the CBCL-PTSD subscale and (ii) an alternative subscale consisting of a psychometrically guided selection of items with an appropriate correlation to PTSD and a sufficient prevalence (presence in more than 20% of the cases with PTSD). For both tools we calculated sensitivity, specificity, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Depending on the sum score of the items, the 20-item CBCL-PTSD subscale as used in previous studies yielded a maximal sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 76%. The psychometrically guided item selection resulted in a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 83%. The areas under the ROC curves were the same for both tools (0.9). Both subscales may be suitable as screening instrument for PTSD in refugee children, as they reveal a high sensitivity and specificity.

Download Full-text

Detection of Active BoNT/C and D by EndoPep-MS Using MALDI Biotyper Instrument and Comparison with the Mouse Test Bioassay

Toxins ◽

10.3390/toxins13010010 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 10

Author(s):

Ilenia Drigo ◽

Elena Tonon ◽

Simone Pascoletti ◽

Fabrizio Anniballi ◽

Suzanne R. Kalb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Limit Of Detection ◽

Animal Health ◽

Lethal Dose ◽

Reference Method ◽

Mouse Bioassay ◽

Peptide Fragments ◽

Mass Spectrometers ◽

Detection And Identification ◽

Maldi Biotyper ◽

Sensitivity Specificity

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are among the most poisonous known biological substances, and therefore the availability of reliable, easy-to use tools for BoNT detection are important goals for food safety and human and animal health. The reference method for toxin detection and identification is the mouse bioassay (MBA). An EndoPep-MS method for BoNT differentiation has been developed based on mass spectrometry. We have validated and implemented the EndoPep-MS method on a Bruker MALDI Biotyper for the detection of BoNT/C and D serotypes. The method was extensively validated using experimentally and naturally contaminated samples comparing the results with those obtained with the MBA. Overall, the limit of detection (LoD) for both C and D toxins were less than or equal to two mouse lethal dose 50 (mLD50) per 500 µL for all tested matrices with the exception of feces spiked with BoNT/C which showed signals not-related to specific peptide fragments. Diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 100% (95% CI: 87.66–100%), 96.08% (95% CI: 86.54–99.52%), and 93.33% (95% CI: 78.25–98.20%), respectively, and accuracy was 97.47% (95% CI: 91.15–99.69%). In conclusion, the tests carried out showed that the EndoPep-MS method, initially developed using more powerful mass spectrometers, can be applied to the Bruker MALDI Biotyper instrument with excellent results including for detection of the proteolytic activity of BoNT/C, BoNT/D, BoNT/CD, and BoNT/DC toxins.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of HiCrome KPC Agar for the Screening of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales Colonization in the ICU Setting of a Tertiary Care Hospital

Journal of Laboratory Physicians ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1732494 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ashoka Mahapatra ◽

K Nikitha ◽

Sutapa Rath ◽

Bijayini Behera ◽

Kavita Gupta

Keyword(s):

Tertiary Care ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Predictive Values ◽

Klebsiella Pneumoniae Carbapenemase ◽

Carbapenem Resistant ◽

Rectal Swabs ◽

Control And Prevention ◽

Indian Setting ◽

Sensitivity Specificity

Abstract Background Spread of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) is a significant concern in intensive care unit (ICU) settings. Approaches to routine screening for CRE colonization in all ICU patients vary depending on institutional epidemiology and resources. The present study was aimed to evaluate the performance of HiCrome Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) agar for the detection of CRE colonization in ICU settings taking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended method as reference. Methods Two-hundred and eighty rectal swabs (duplicate) from 140 patients were subjected to CRE detection in HiCrome KPC agar and MacConkey agar (CDC criteria). Results Using CDC method, total 41 CRE isolates were recovered comprising of 29 E scherichia coli, 11 Klebsiella, and 1 Enterobacter spp. On the other hand, 49 isolates of CRE recovered from 140 rectal swabs using HiCrome KPC agar, out of which 33 were E. coli, 15 Klebsiella, and 1 Enterobacter sp. Statistical Analysis Sensitivity, specificity, negative, and positive predictive values of CRE screening by HiCrome KPC agar were found to be 100% (91.4–100), 91.9% (84.8–95.8), 83.6% (70.9–91.4), and 100% (95.9–100), respectively, taking the CDC recommended method as reference. Conclusion HiCrome KPC agar has high sensitivity in screening CRE colonization. Further studies are needed to establish its applicability for detecting the predominant circulating carbapenemases in the Indian setting.

Download Full-text

Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of a liquid biopsy approach utilizing molecular amplification pools

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89592-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jessica Garcia ◽

Nick Kamps-Hughes ◽

Florence Geiguer ◽

Sébastien Couraud ◽

Brice Sarver ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Clinical Setting ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Sequencing Error ◽

Lung Cancer Patients ◽

Mutation Discovery ◽

Sensitivity Specificity ◽

Next Generation Sequencing Ngs ◽

Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction

AbstractCirculating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has the potential to be a specific biomarker for the therapeutic management of lung cancer patients. Here, a new sequencing error-reduction method based on molecular amplification pools (MAPs) was utilized to analyze cfDNA in lung cancer patients. We determined the accuracy of MAPs plasma sequencing with respect to droplet digital polymerase chain reaction assays (ddPCR), and tested whether actionable mutation discovery is improved by next-generation sequencing (NGS) in a clinical setting. This study reports data from 356 lung cancer patients receiving plasma testing as part of routine clinical management. Sequencing of cfDNA via MAPs had a sensitivity of 98.5% and specificity 98.9%. The ddPCR assay was used as the reference, since it is an established, accurate assay that can be performed contemporaneously on the same plasma sample. MAPs sequencing detected somatic variants in 261 of 356 samples (73%). Non-actionable clonal hematopoiesis-associated variants were identified via sequencing in 21% of samples. The accuracy of this cfDNA sequencing approach was similar to that of ddPCR assays in a clinical setting, down to an allele frequency of 0.1%. Due to broader coverage and high sensitivity for insertions and deletions, sequencing via MAPs afforded important detection of additional actionable mutations.

Download Full-text