Laboratory is dealing with investigation of parasitic diseases in domestic and wild animals and identification and determination of parasites and parasitic elements related to animal health (trematodes, cestodes, nematodes, protozoa and ectoparasites). In this laboratory zoonoses are also investigated – diseases transmissible from animals to humans, such as echinococcosis (echinococcus granulosus), toxoplasmosis (toxoplasma gondii), leishmaniosis (leishmania infantum), trichinelosis (trichinella spp.), cisticercosis (cisticercus), sarcocystosis (sarcocystis spp.)
Routine methods for investigation – for clients
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SMALL ANIMALS |
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Мethod |
Indications |
Most frequent clinical symptoms |
| Baerman’s method |
Nematode larvae (Strongyloides,Aleurostrongylus). *Necessary time 24-48 hours. |
Coughing, sneezing, other respiratory symptoms and diarrhea in small animals. |
| Fecal flotation (ZnSO4 ) |
Routine flotation for screening of parasitic elements (eggs, oocysts) |
Intestinal problems such as diarrhea, mucosal or bloody stool, emaciation, anemia. |
| Fecal flotation (Sheater) |
Fecal flotation including taenia. |
Intestinal problems such as diarrhea, mucosal or bloody stool, emaciation, anemia. |
| Knott test |
Microfilaria of Dirofilaria spp |
Fatigue and aggravated breathing after prolonged exercise. |
| IFAT method for detection of antibodies against leishmania |
Leishmaniosis in dogs (Leishmania infantum). |
Cutaneous lesions, fever, ocular lesions, emaciation, changes of the nails of the legs |
| Molecular diagnostics (PCR method) for detection of leishmaniosis |
Leishmaniosis in dogs (Leishmania infantum). |
Cutaneous lesions, fever, ocular lesions, emaciation, changes of the nails of the legs |
| Peripheral blood smears – Giemsa stain |
Babesiosis (Babesia spp.). |
Elevated temperature, anemia, jaundice, heamaturia. |
| KOH digestion method of skin scraping |
Cutaneous lesions derived from ectoparasites (Demodex, Sarcoptes, Notoedres,) |
Cutaneous lesions associated with or without itching, wounds. |
| Parasitic identification |
Identification of helminthes and arthropods parasites (adult worms, ticks and mites). |
Evidence of parasites in the stool, on the skin, post mortem in the intestines and other organs |
| Sedimentation |
Trematode eggs |
Intestinal problems |
| Investigation of native preparation |
Determination of cysts and vegetative forms of Giardia spp. |
Chronic diarrhea.
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Important: presence of parasites is not necessarily associated with clinical symptoms. Treating with adequate antihelmintic is done only on the base of previous examination of the stool. |
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Big animals |
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Мethod |
Indications |
Most frequent clinical symptoms |
| Baerman’s method |
Nematode larvae (lung worms). *Necessary time 24-48 hours. |
Coughing, sneezing, other respiratory symptoms and diarrhea in small animals |
| Fecal flotation (ZnSO4 ) |
Qualitative screening method for determination of parasitic elements (eggs, oocysts). |
Intestinal problems such as diarrhea, mucosal or bloody stool, emaciation, anemia. |
| Modified McMaster method |
Quantitaive method for investigation of number of eggs in 1 gram of feces (small and large ruminants and horses) and estimation of the need for dehelminthisation. |
Intestinal problems such as diarrhea, mucosal or bloody stool, emaciation, anemia. |
| Coproculture |
Culture and identification of larvae of 3rd degree for determination of the species. |
Anemia, emaciation, diarrhea. |
| Test of reduction of eggs in 1 gram of fecal material |
Investigation of efficacy of antihelmintic and antihelmintic resistance. |
Clinical symptoms after application of the medicine are alleviated but not eliminated – possibility of antihelmintic resistance. |
| Periferal blood – Giemsa stain |
Babesiosis (Babesia spp.), theileriosis(Theileria spp.), anaplasmosis (Anaplasma). |
Elevated temperature, anemia, jaundice, heamaturia. |
| Processing of skin shavings with 10% KOH |
Cutaneous lesions from ectoparasites (Sarcoptes, Psoroptes, Chorioptes) . |
Cutaneous lesions, itching, decline of the wool, disturbance and decreased milk production. |
| ELISA method |
Presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii. |
Abortion, premature birth, emaciation of the aborted foetus |
| Parasitic identification |
Identification of helmints and arthropode parasites (adult worms, ticks and mites). |
Evidence of parasites in the stool, on the skin, post mortem in the intestines and other organs |
| Sedimentation |
Trematode eggs |
Intestinal problems, jaundice, elevated temperature, submandibular edema. |
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Important: presence of parasites is not necessarily associated with clinical symptoms and can cause decreased milk production and growth. Treating with adequate antihelminthic is done only on the base of previous examination of the stool. If low number of eggs are found in 1 gram of fecal material, dehelminthisation is not necessary. Anthelmintics should be rotated in order to avoid resistance. |
Laboratory gives an interpretation of the results and advice for adequate therapy.
In farm animals evaluation of the need for dehelmentisation is done and on the basis of the result adequate therapy is adviced.
In the laboratory antihelmintic resistance on the flock level is also investigated and investigation of the efficacy of the given antihelmintic.
Sampling and sending of the feces for analysis: collection of the feces from large animals should be directly from the ampoule of the rectum, while in small animals immediately after defecation. Feces is put in plastic, nonporous bottle or bag. For quantitative methods it is necessary to deflate the air from the bag. Feces is transported in cool box on ice (ice not directly touching the feces) or is kept on +40C until transport to the laboratory (for 24 hours).
Sending of blood or serum for analysis: in agreement with the laboratory total blood is taken or serum is separated. Blood smear is made with peripheral blood from the auricule or cauda. Blood is transported on +40C.
Sending of organs for parasitological investigation: intestines and stomach – should be tied at the both ends together with the content. All organs should be put in plastic, nonporous bottle.
For consultation and advice you can call:
Ass. Prof. Jovana Stefanovska
Ljubica Rashikj, DVM
tel: 02-3240759
tel: 02-3240784
mail: jstefanovska@fvm.ukim.edu.mk
ljubica@fvm.ukim.edu.mk
Research activity
“Seroprevalence and molecular diagnostics of visceral leishmaniosis in dogs in republic of Macedonia”
“Determination of the presence of antihelmintic resistance in goats in Republic of Macedonia”
“Determination of seasonal dynamics of the most important endoparasites in small ruminants”
“Parasitological map of the most important parasites in sheep in Republic of Macedonia”
In the laboratory, plastination of the parasites is performed, also.
