Comparison of fecal analysis methods for the detection of Platynosomum fastosum in naturally infected cats

Objectives Diagnosis of Platynosomum fastosum Kossack 1910, a liver fluke of cats, can be challenging, with infections potentially not identified depending on the fecal analysis method used. The aim of this study was to compare three methods for identification of P fastosum eggs in feces. Methods Feces from 50 cats with unknown infection status from a location endemic for P fastosum were analyzed. The methods used included double centrifugation with Sheather’s sugar flotation solution (specific gravity 1.28); the Mini-Parasep (Apacor) flotation kit with ZnSO4 (specific gravity 1.20); and the Mini-Parasep sedimentation kit with Triton X/ethyl acetate solution. Results Thirty-four cats were identified as positive for P fastosum. Of these cats, 33 were identified with the double centrifugation method, 16 with the Mini-Parasep flotation kit and 11 with the Mini-Parasep sedimentation kit. Using the total number of samples identified as positive by at least one method as the true positive, the sensitivity of the methods was 97.1% for double centrifugation, 47.1% for the Mini-Parasep flotation kit and 32.4% for the Mini-Parasep sedimentation kit. Other parasite eggs (eg, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Trichuris species and Toxocara cati) also were detected more frequently with the double centrifugation method. Conclusions and relevance Of the three methods tested, double centrifugation with Sheather’s sugar flotation solution was the most effective in identifying cats with P fastosum and other helminth eggs in their feces. The lower specific gravity of the flotation solution in the Mini-Parasep flotation kit likely influenced the results. A primary drawback of the Mini-Parasep sedimentation kit was the amount of sediment. While more sediment was examined than recommended in the manufacturer’s instructions, this was still only a small portion of the total sediment. In addition, reading the slides took longer than with the other methods.

Новий спосіб дослідження ґрунту на наявність яєць нематод

Мета статті – удосконалити спосіб дослідження ґрунту на наявність яєць нематод. Методика дослідження. Використано способи, що ґрунтуються на методах флотації із застосуванням насичених розчинів солей: загальновідомі (Романенко,1968 та Гуджабідзе, 1969, Долбіна та ін., 2012) та удосконалений. Проведено комплекс паразитологічних досліджень з метою визначення найбільш ефективної щільності удосконаленого флотаційного розчину, а також встановлення у порівняльному аспекті ефективності запропонованого та загальновідомих способів дослідження ґрунту на наявність яєць нематод. Результати дослідження. Доведено, що найбільш оптимальним для проведення дослідження слід вважати двокомпонентний флотаційний розчин неорганічної солі у поєднанні з лугом, щільність якого коливається в межах від 1,38 до 1,39 г/см3. Запропонований спосіб порівняно із загальновідомими (Романенко,1968 і Гуджабідзе, 1969; Долбіна та ін., 2012) виявився ефективнішим на 24,04 й 38,66 % за показником кількості виявлених яєць у ґрунті та на 1,78 й 34,70 % за ергономічністю. Елементи наукової новизни. Удосконалено та випробувано новий спосіб дослідження проб ґрунту на наявність яєць нематод, що має високий показник ефективності та є ергономічним. Практична значущість. Результати одержаних даних дозволяють рекомендувати запропонований спосіб до впровадження у виробництво з метою встановлення якісного та кількісного показників забрудненості об’єктів довкілля яйцями гельмінтів, а також з метою прогнозування епізоотичного благополуччя тварин щодо нематодозів. The purpose of the article is to improve the method of studying the soil for the presence of nematode eggs. The task of the research was to establish in the laboratory conditions the optimal density of an improved two-component flotation solution based on inorganic salt in combination with alkali; to determine its efficiency in comparison with well-known methods of detecting nematode eggs in soil samples. Research methods. The research was conducted during 2018 on the basis of the Laboratory of Parasitology and Veterinary-Sanitary Expert Examination Department at Poltava State Agrarian Academy. A new method of detecting nematode eggs in soil samples was developed and improved, based on the methods of Romanenko (1968) and Gudzhabidze (1969), Dolbin et al. (2012), in which flotation methods with saturated salt solutions were used. The development of the new method was carried out by introducing changes in the weight of the investigated soil, the time of treating it with alkali and centrifugation procedures, as well as the composition of the flotation fluid solution, based on inorganic salt in combination with alkali. The research results. When studying the density of a new flotation solution for the purpose of detecting nematode eggs in soil samples, it has been proven that the offered solution of inorganic salt in combination with alkali (the density from 1.35 to 1.41 g/cm3) has expressed optimal flotation properties for nematode eggs (the efficiency from 48.29 % to 86.27 %). The offered method has been more effective as compared with the methods of Dolbin et al. (2012), Romanenko (1968) and Gudzhabidze (1969): in terms of time the effectiveness was 1.78 and 34.70 % (p <0.001); as to the number of nematode eggs in the soil test sample – by 24.04 % (p <0.01) and 38.66 % (p <0.001) more effective; by the number of positive samples – by 20 %. Elements of scientific novelty. A new method of soil sample testing for the presence of nematode eggs has been studied; this method is more effective and ergonomic. Practical significance. The results of the obtained data enable us to recommend the offered method for introduction into production in order to establish qualitative and quantitative indicators of contaminating environmental objects with helminthes’ eggs, as well as to predict the epizootic well-being of animals concerning nematodoses.

Preparation of a Cenosphere Curing Agent and Its Application to Foam Concrete

Cenospheres are hollow and spherical particles extracted from fly ash. Controllable separation of cenosphere particles with different densities and sizes can be realized by controlling the density of a flotation solution of cenospheres. In this paper, cenospheres were corroded by hydrofluoric acid to produce perforated pores on their shell surfaces. Then, the cenospheres were mixed with water to prepare the cenosphere curing agent. Foam concrete was prepared using ordinary Portland cement (42.5 R), vegetable protein foaming agent, fly ash, cenospheres, and the cenosphere curing agent as raw materials. The water absorption rate of the cenosphere curing agent was 156.0 wt.%, and 85% of the loaded water was released at a relative humidity of 97.4%, which met the microenvironment requirements of foam concrete. Addition of the cenosphere curing agent during foam concrete preparation has the following positive functions for foam concrete: inhibiting autogenous shrinkage, promoting the hydration degree, improving the state of the interfacial transition zone between cenospheres and the hardened cement paste, reducing the number of connected pores, relieving the stress concentration on the pore walls, and enhancing the compression strength of the foam concrete.

Investigations on the distribution of Schistosoma turkestanicum Skrjabin, 1913 (Trematoda: Schistosomatidae) infection of red deer in Hungary and a combined method for the detection of S. turkestanicum eggs in droppings

Additional geographical distribution of the Central European populations of Schistosoma turkestanicum and the detectability of their eggs in droppings were investigated in red deer samples, because this rare species had previously been shown only in a single Hungarian habitat. Samples from visceral organs, intestinal contents, and droppings on the ground from 11 hunting areas of Hungary were investigated to find a new presence of this fluke. Close to the first site of detection in the Gemenc forest another habitat along the southern border of the country was found where the parasite lives in red deer. Therefore, it is possible that the worm also occurs in neighbouring Serbia or Croatia. Schistosoma turkestanicum causes a low-intensity infection in red deer and this host sheds low amounts of eggs, therefore the eggs are difficult to detect. Droppings were cleared by sedimentation, filtered by sieve screening and then the eggs were flotated using solutions with an increasing density of 1200 g/L, 1300 g/L, 1350 g/L, and 1400 g/L while they were being stained red with acid fuchsin. Eggs in fresh faeces can be most efficiently separated from plant fibres using a flotation solution of 1350 g/L density, but in some cases eggs in old dung can be detected using a solution of a specific gravity lower or higher than that. By combining the advantages of the three concentration processes, eggs of S. turkestanicum, which are more recognisable by the red stain, can be found in samples in which they are present at a density lower than 1/g.

ЗБЕРЕЖЕННЯ ЖИТТЄЗДАТНОСТІ ЯЄЦЬ ТА ЛИЧИНОК СТРОНГIЛЯТ I АСКАРИДАТ У ДОВКІЛЛІ В ЗИМОВИЙ ПЕРІОД

This paper presents the results of the helminthological study of sand, hay and silage in different periods of 2010 – 2015. It was established that on the territory of Polissya the eggs and larvae of nematodes (Parascaris equorum, Strongylidae sp., Toxocara canis) at typical winter air temperature (-15 – +3 °C) remain viable in the environment, contributing to the spread of continuous year-round animal infestation.We prove that in the stall period of keeping animals rough and succulent feed (hay, silage) can be a source of infection of nematodes even in late winter: according to our data, in February in the hay the number of eggs P. equorum was 2.6 ± 0.74 eggs/3 drops of flotation solution, in the silage – 8.8±1.01, and Strongylidae sp. – 3.2 ± 0.73 and 5.6 ± 0.6 eggs/3 drops of flotation solution respectively. Consequently, for the prevention of helminthiasis all harvested food should be checked for the presence of pathogens in it.Maximum contamination of sand from playgrounds in the Zhytomyr region by toxocara eggs was: 674.6 eggs/3 drops of flotation solution in autumn and 60.3 – in the spring. Totally 12.8–18.4% of T. canis eggs are overwintering in the sand successfully. The data should be considered when planning preventive veterinary measures. Recommended in disadvantaged regions to carry out preventive deworming animals every 3 months.

Intestinal helminths of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in north-west Italy

SummaryA total of 180 foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from an area scarcely investigated of north-west Italy, were examined for intestinal helminths using sedimentation and counting technique (SCT). Faecal samples were submitted to centrifugation with 50 % zinc sulphate used as flotation solution.No fox was found completely negative for intestinal helminths. The most frequently identified nematodes were Uncinaria stenocephala (70.0 %), Molineus legerae (27.2 %), Toxocara canis (26.7 %), Toxascaris leonina (25.6 %), Trichuris vulpis (21.1 %), Aonchotheca putorii (8.9 %), Pterygodermatites affinis (5.6 %). Genus Mesocestoides (81.7 %), family Dilepididae (29.4 %) and Taenia spp. (8.3 %) were the most prevalent cestodes. All foxes were negative for E. multilocularis and E. granulosus. In two foxes trematodes belonging to the family Plagiorchidae were found.The study highlighted that foxes are hosts of intestinal helminths of veterinary and medical importance which may be transmitted to dogs and humans.

Methods of preservation and flotation for the detection of nematode eggs and coccidian oocysts in faeces of the forest musk deer

Parasitic infections influence the health of captive forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) and affect population increases. Nevertheless, there are few quantitative studies regarding forest musk deer parasites, and there is no common preservation method or flotation solution used for detection of faecal parasites because of the biology of the worms and the host physiological state. The objective of this study was to evaluate preservation and flotation methods for the detection of nematode eggs and coccidian oocysts in faeces of the forest musk deer. The McMaster technique was used to count nematode eggs and coccidian oocysts in 33 samples of faeces. For the nematode eggs, the differences among flotation solutions were significant (P< 0.01), with sodium nitrate being the best flotation solution, and the combination of freezing and sodium nitrate resulted in the greatest number of eggs per gram (EPG = 209.4 ± 67.8). For the coccidian oocysts, the interaction between preservation method and flotation solution was significant (P< 0.01), and the combination of formalin and sodium chloride yielded the greatest number of oocysts per gram (OPG = 1010.7 ± 162.3). The forest musk deer had a high prevalence of parasitic infections, with the parasite load of coccidia (96.4%) significantly greater than that of nematodes (71.9%, P< 0.01). These results confirm that captive forest musk deer suffer from serious parasitic invasions and demonstrate that the novel method described here could be utilized for parasitological diagnosis, detection and prevention in species of Moschidae and Cervidae.

Original Scientific Article. Assessment of Reagent Effectiveness and Preservation Methods for Equine Faecal Samples

The aim of our study was to identify the most suitable flotation solution and effective preservation method for the examination of equine faeces samples using the FLOTAC technique. Samples from naturally infected horses were transported to the laboratory and analysed accordingly. The sample from each horse was homogenized and divided into four parts: one was frozen, another two were preserved in different reagents such as sodium acetate-acetic-acid-formalin(SAF) or 5% formalin. The last part was examined as a fresh sample in three different flotation solutions (Sheather´s solution, sodium chloride and sodium nitrate solution, all with a specific gravity 1.200). The preserved samples were examined in the period from 14 to 21 days after collection. According to our results, the sucrose solution was the most suitable flotation solution for fresh samples (small strongyle egg per gram was 706 compared to 360 in sodium chlorid and 507 in sodium nitrate) and the sodium nitrate solution was the most efficient for the preserved samples (egg per gram was 382 compared to 295 in salt solution and 305 in sucrose solution). Freezing appears to be the most effective method of sample preservation, resulting in minimal damage to fragile strongyle eggs and therefore it is the most simple and effective preservation method for the examination of large numbers of faecal samples without the necessity of examining them all within 48 hours of collection. Deep freezing as a preservation method for equine faeces samples has not, according to our knowledge, been yet published.

The Designation of the Collector in Aluminosilicate Minerals Flotation and the Study of its Mechanism

The main gangue minerals in bauxite ore are kaolinite, illite and pyrophyllite. The bauxite reverse flotation aims to float them out. In this essay, a certain type of bauxite is taken into account to design and synthesize the N-Alkyl-1,3-diaminopropane from the perspectives of solid-philic group and nonpolar group by applying the kaolinite crystal model in Curis2 software. It also studies the function mechanism of this newly developed reagent in flotation by applying flotation solution chemical calculation, ζ-potential test and infrared spectrometry test.