P1: Introduction

1. Introduction

Diagnostic Methods in Parasitology

  • Coprological (faecal examination)
    • most common laboratory procedure
    • it can reveal the presence of parasites in several body systems e.g. digestive tract, respiratory tract
    • should be conducted on fresh faecal material
    • animals: a limited amount of faeces recovered from the rectum (using gloves, thermometer etc.) or immediately after defecation
    • if faeces cannot be examined within a few hours, it should be refrigerated until it can be tested
    • helminth eggs may be preserved with an equal volume of 5-10% buffered formalin (NEVER FOR LUNGWORMS!!!)
  • Urine, skin
  • Haematological (blood)
  • Histopathological (tissues)
  • Immunological
  • Molecular biological

Diagnosis - intra vitam and post mortem

  • to diagnose both - internal and external
  • procedures are used to detect the presence of parasites or their offspring, cysts, oocysts, eggs, or larval stages, on the skin or in the animal’s excretion, muscles, tissues or blood

Collecting Faecal Samples

Requirements

  • plastic gloves
  • wooden spatulas
  • containers
    • size and capacity depend on the amount of faeces to be collected
    • ruminants, equids: 20-30 g
    • sheep, swine: 10-20 g
    • carnivores, rabbits: 3-10 g
    • birds: 3 g or 3 sequential defecation
  • Formol (for conservation)
  • Means to identify the sample
    • adhesive labels and pencil, necessary data: animal species, animal owner, date, address

Sampling…

Collection of blood, body fluids, rinses

  • peripheral veins
    • skin is soft and connects with ectoparasites, which release other parasites to the blood
    • blood pressure is lower, so better for habitation of parasites
  • urine
  • washing of foreskin

Sampling of ectoparasites

  • scratch by scalp
  • pulling/ripping out hair

Sending samples

  • a distinct and indelible mark
  • accompanying note - anamnesis; type of examination; name and address (e.g. owner); species of animal; sex; age etc.