Coproscopic diagnosis of equids helminthiasis using the Willis, Water-Ether-Centrifugation and Baermann Techniques

Abstract

To ascertain their reliability, three different techniques indicated for use in parasitological coproscooy, viz: WILLIS, WATER-ETKER-CENTRIFUGATION (CAE), and BAERMANN, were employed in the examination of fecal samples from 26 equids, 22 of the species Equus caballus, and 4 of the species Equus asinus. The fecal samples were collected from the rectum in plastic bags and kept with ice in thermically insulated containers. The samples were immediately sent to the Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, University of São Paulo, for microscopical examination. The association of such three techniques was considered effective in diagnosing infections by StrongyIoidea and Spiruroidea. Fecal samples from all 26 animals were positive for StrongyIoidea, 25 of which when either the WILLIS or CAE technique was used (96.1%). Of the 16 samples positive for Habronema, 15 (93.7%) were confirmed by the BAERMANN technique, which was the only one to reveal the three cases positive for MetastrongyIidae of the genus Dictyocaulus (100%).