Parasitology
Submission Guidelines:
- Fecal samples must be fresh, preferably less than 48 hours old.
- Refrigerate samples as soon as possible after collection, but DO NOT FREEZE.
- To prevent sample processing delays, please ensure the submission form and transport containers are labeled consistently and legibly.
- Refer to the chart below for more specific specimen collection recommendations.
| Test Type | Agent | Specimen | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parasite identification | arthropods, cestodes, nematodes, trematodes | Whole parasite (in 70% ethanol, 5-10% formalin, or refrigerated water); arthropod (in 70% ethanol, 5-10% formalin; or live - not adhered to tape) | Worms must have both the head and tail intact for proper identification. Submit multiple worms, if possible. Note the location of the worm in the host. A qualitative fecal flotation is recommended in addition to worm identification. |
| Fecal flotation - quantitative | cestode eggs, nematode eggs, coccidian oocysts, some protozoan cysts | Feces = 5gm fresh or refrigerated | Egg/oocyst counts do not correlate directly with parasite burden. It may be useful for managing deworming and anti-protozoal protocols. |
| Fecal flotation – qualitative (Sheather's sugar solution) | cestode eggs, nematode eggs, coccidian oocysts, some protozoan cysts | Feces = 1gm fresh or refrigerated | Routine fecal exam. Unlikely to detect trematode eggs, protozoan trophozoites, nematode larvae, and some protozoan cysts. |
| Fecal flotation - qualitative (zinc sulfate) | Filaroides hirthi, Giardia spp. cysts, Oslerus osleri, lungworms, protozoa | Feces = 1gm fresh or refrigerated | Preserves protozoal cysts and nematode larvae for identification better than routine qualitative fecal float. |
| Fecal exam - direct | Giardia spp., cestodes, nematode larvae, protozoan trophozoites, trematode eggs | Feces = 1gm fresh or refrigerated | Negative findings are inconclusive, as this method is less sensitive than sedimentation, flotation, or Baermann technique. Preserves delicate forms such as nematode larvae and protozoan trophozoites. |
| Fecal exam - sedimentation | Parelaphostrongylus sp., Physaloptera spp., cestodes, trematode eggs, amoebae, ciliates, acanthocephalan eggs | Feces = 1gm fresh or refrigerated | More sensitive than direct smear but less sensitive than flotations or Baermann technique. Detects heavy parasite eggs and Strongyloides stercoralis larvae. |
| Fecal larval exam - Baermann technique | Larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Dictyocaulus spp., Muellerius capillaris, Parelaphostrongylus tenuis, lungworms, nematodes | Feces = 10gm fresh or refrigerated | It takes advantage of the inability of most nematode larvae to swim against gravity. The qualitative fecal flotation with zinc sulfate is the preferred method for Filaroides spp. |
| Giardia Panel | Giardia spp. (cysts and antigen) | Feces = 2gms fresh or refrigerated | The panel consists of the qualitative zinc sulfate flotation and the Giardia antigen ELISA. Canine and feline samples only. |
| Canine heartworm antigen test - ELISA | Dirofilaria immitis | Serum, plasma (=1mL); blood in LT or RT tube* (=3mL) | Detects adult female heartworm antigen. |
| Knott's test | microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis and Dipetalonema reconditum | 1mL blood in LT tube* | Visualization of microfilariae in blood. |
*Tube abbreviations: RT= red top; LT=lavender top
Criteria for sample rejection:
- Mismatch of information on the specimen label and the submission form.
- Mismatch Inappropriate transport temperature (i.e. Frozen).
- Mismatch Insufficient quantity (i.e. <10 grams for Baermann technique).
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