Abstract
Parasitic diseases are responsible for economic losses in the pig production industry. It is necessary to monitor the parasite load through stool ova and parasite analysis to avoid losses to the producer. Among analytical tests, the McMaster technique is the most widely used method; however, several variations of this method have been described, and, therefore, there is a need for standardization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of different saturated solutions prepared from four different salts (NaCl, MgSO4, NaNO3, ZnSO4), a sugar solution, and Polysorbate Tween 80, to perform the McMaster technique. Pig feces containing Ascaris suum eggs were homogenized in Griffin beakers and divided into 2g aliquots for the exams with different solutions. All solutions evaluated were able to float A. suum eggs. However, eggs per gram of feces (EPG) values using the sodium nitrate solution were higher (p < 0.05) than for the other solutions. Magnesium sulfate and sodium chloride solutions provided intermediate values for EPG. Lower values were obtained with zinc sulfate and sugar solutions. Polysorbate Tween 80 was added to the sodium nitrate solution at a concentration of 0.2%, and this proved to be more efficient (p < 0.05) in flotation of the eggs.
Highlights
Parasitic diseases can cause economic losses for the swine production industry
Parasitic diseases are responsible for economic losses in the pig production industry
The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of different saturated solutions prepared from four different salts (NaCl, MgSO, NaNO, ZnSO ), a sugar solution, and Polysorbate Tween 80, to perform the McMaster technique
Summary
Parasitic diseases can cause economic losses for the swine production industry. Parasites can damage blood vessels and internal organs (including the intestinal epithelium), resulting in malabsorption and decreased assimilation of nutrients, reduction in average daily gain (ADG), reproductive failure, failures in vaccine response, increases in the fattening period, decreases in meat quality and economic losses due to condemnation of affected organs (Fausto et al, 2015; Knecht et al, 2011).Monitoring the parasite load is an essential method of maintaining livestock health. Stool ova and parasite analyses to detect the presence of eggs, larvae, cysts and oocysts are widely used in veterinary parasitology. Among these analyses, flotation techniques such as the McMaster technique, used to count the eggs present in feces, are the most routine method for detecting and quantifying the parasitic load in different animal species (Foreyt, 2005). Many variations have been described in the literature, and standardization is needed (Cringoli et al, 2004) This standardization is important to avoid false negative results, which could lead to the neglect of parasitic problems in animal production
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