Original Article

Evaluation of the mini-FLOTAC technique for detection of gastro-intestinal parasites in large companion animals

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Abstract

A new technique, mini-FLOTAC, has recently been developed for the microscopic diagnosis of infections with gastro-intestinal nematodes in domestic animals. In this comparative study of diagnostic techniques, the mini-FLOTAC technique was compared to the commonly used McMaster technique for the detection and quantification of gastro-intestinal parasites in livestock as well as for the evaluation of the time needed to perform the assays. One hundred fecal samples (78 horses, 11 bovines, 6 sheep and 5 goats) were examined with both the mini-FLOTAC and McMaster technique. This revealed that more infections with gastro-intestinal parasites could be diagnosed with the mini-FLOTAC technique than with the McMaster technique, but the comparative study also showed a very high correlation (correlation coefficient = 0.90, p < 0.001) between both techniques regarding the number of eggs per gram feces (EPG) detected. The time needed to examine the samples with the mini-FLOTAC technique (13 minutes) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the time needed with the McMaster technique (6 minutes). This difference in time also depended on the observed EPG value, as with high EPG values, the difference in time between both techniques increased even more. In conclusion, the mini-FLOTAC technique can be preferred when an accurate diagnosis of a low infection level is necessary, e.g. to detect anthelmintic resistance. In other circumstances, the faster McMaster technique can be considered as the preferable technique.