Optimal fecal assessment

Abstract

Fecal testing is a common component of most gastrointestinal work-ups. A multitude of diagnostic techniques are available for identifying parasites and pathogens, or showing abnormalities of flora. Optimal fecal assessment involves careful formulation of a differential list based on signalment, history, and clinical signs. Tests should be selected and interpreted based on their relative sensitivity and specificity for specific conditions. It is essential to use effective testing methods for the etiologies of concern. This article reviews the plethora of diagnostic techniques available for fecal assessment. Indications, limitations, and issues of specimen handling for each technique are discussed. The optimal approach to the diagnosis of some common parasites, pathogens, abnormalities of flora, and metabolic conditions are covered.

A Comparative Study of Four Methods for the Detection of Nematode Eggs and Large Protozoan Cysts in Mandrill Faecal Material

“…[Dunn and Keymer, 1986]). Additionally, sugar solutions, which have higher viscosity, have been suggested to require longer standing time compared to others [Broussard, 2003]. We further expected that higher quantities of parasite eggs and cysts would be recovered with sugar solution because its SG (1.27) was higher than that of zinc sulphate solution (1.18) or salt solution (1.18).…”

“…Zinc sulphate solution is known for distorting most helminth eggs. However, sugar solution also tends to distort Giardia cysts, whereas zinc sulphate is considered ideal for their isolation [Broussard, 2003]. Particular attention should therefore be paid to these variations regarding the integrity of some parasite forms in order to avoid both false negatives and false positives.…”

“…For example, the DCF method (SF with a first step of centrifugation) using Sheather's sugar is considered as the gold standard method for detecting most veterinary helminth eggs and coccidian oocysts [Broussard, 2003]. Moreover, the DCF method using a sugar solution has been documented as being more suitable for the detection of Platynosomum sp.…”

“…Therefore, a first centrifugal step might have led to better results when using SF-Mc-sugar. The advantages of an initial centrifugation step have been largely documented [Egwang and Slocombe, 1981;Zajac et al, 2002;Broussard, 2003]. In other cases though, SF-Mc methods provided more accurate measurements of strongyle eggs in cattle and sheep faecal material compared to a modification of the Stoll method [Stoll, 1930], which is a DCF method [Ballweber et al, 2014].…”

Comparison of five parasitological techniques for laboratory diagnosis of Balantidium coli cysts

“…According to Broussard (2003), the Sheather technique is the one that has been most widely used in veterinary parasitology and the technique of Faust can already be considered to be the gold standard technique for Giardia spp. However, in the present study, the Faust and modified Sheather techniques showed low efficiency in making the diagnosis, given that these techniques also gave rise to morphological changes to the cysts, which often made it difficult to recognize them ( Figure 1D, E).…”