COPROLOGICAL METHODS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF ANOPLOCEPHALA-PERFOLIATA INFECTION OF THE HORSE

Objective To compare the sensitivities of three coprological technique s for the diagnosis of Anoplocephala perfoliata infection in horses an d to assess the value of the methods for diagnosis of horses at risk o f clinical cestodiasis. Design Faecal samples were collected from necr opsied horses with or without A perfoliata infection and examined usin g one sedimentation and two different flotation methods. The coprologi cal results were compared with worm counts performed at necropsy of th e horses and the degree of mucosal damage. In addition, the efficiency of recovery of A perfoliata eggs from faeces was tested. Results The overall sensitivities of the methods ranged from 22.5 to 37.5%, and th e capacity of the methods to diagnose infection increased with the int ensity of infection. A simple flotation method achieved a better sensi tivity (37.5%) at all intensities of infection compared with the other two methods (22.5 to 25%). That method was also more sensitive in det ecting eggs in 'negative' faecal samples spiked with known numbers of A perfoliata eggs. Conclusion The results indicated that, despite the low sensitivities of present methods, faecal flotation is likely to be of value in detecting horses at risk of clinical disease.