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1310 Baermann Fecal Examination Bartonella Testing

Baermann Fecal Examination Bonus Material
Online
VetBooks.ir Definition Next Diagnostic Steps to Consider Specimen Collection

The Baermann fecal examination is used to if Levels Are High 5 grams of fresh (<24 hours) feces that have
detect living larvae, most commonly lungworm, Positive larval identification is considered had < 30 minutes of ground contact collected
in feces. definitive. into a dry container devoid of preservatives

Physiology Causes of Abnormally Low Levels Relative Cost: $$
The Baermann apparatus is a funnel clamped Diarrheic samples may not have a sufficient
to a metal stand with clamped rubber tubing solid component. Pearls
attached. Fresh feces are suspended in the funnel • Bronchoscopy may be a more sensitive
using a wire mesh sieve or in a double layer of Next Diagnostic Steps to Consider method for detection of Filaroides osleri in
cheesecloth while being submerged in lukewarm if Levels Are Low dogs; however, this method can be costly,
water for 8-12 hours. After incubation, the This test is not sensitive, and a negative result time consuming, and requires general
clamp on the tubing is released to allow the does not rule out infection. Repetition of the anesthesia.
water to flow into a centrifuge tube. The cen- test on several occasions will improve detection • Filaroides hirthi, Filaroides osleri, Strongyloides
trifuge tube is spun, supernatant discarded, and of parasites. sp. and Dictyocaulus sp. larvae and Eucoleus
the sediment is used for microscopic detection sp. ova are better recovered using flotation
of larvae. This test relies on the tendency for Drug Effects techniques.
larvae to migrate from feces to warm water. Anthelmintic drugs may decrease larval • Baermann technique is preferred over fecal
shedding. flotation for the detection of nematode
Reference Interval larvae.
Reported as no nematode larvae seen or positive Lab Artifacts
with genus or species identification. Delayed processing of the sample may make AUTHOR: Erin N. Burton, DVM, MS
EDITOR: Lois Roth-Johnson, DVM, PhD, DACVP
interpretation difficult as free living nematode
Causes of Abnormally High Levels larvae or larvae from nematode eggs that hatch
Lungworm larvae, such as Filaroides hirthi, Fila- quickly in the environment (e.g., hookworms,
roides osleri, Crenosoma vulpis, Angiostrongylus strongylid, Strongyloides sp.) can be easily
vasorum, and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus can be confused for lungworm larvae.
detected using this method.

Bartonella Testing

Definition Next Diagnostic Steps to Consider value. ePCR is considered the gold standard,
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Bartonella spp. are a group of vector-transmitted, if Levels Are High but may require multiple attempts since bac-
intraerythrocytic bacterial organisms that can • Submission of whole blood or fresh/frozen teremia is intermittent; multiple samples are
induce persistent infections in dogs, cats, and tissue for pre-enrichment culture (with more important for the detection of infection
humans. BAPGM) followed by PCR and subculture in dogs than in cats.
onto agar plates (available at GALAXY
Physiology Diagnostics, www.galaxydx.com). Drug Effects
Following vector transmission, chronic intravas- • Submission of tissue biopsy for histopatho- Effective antibiotic treatment may decrease
cular infections may produce no clinical signs logic analysis and PCR. serologic titers. Use of antibiotics before sample
or may cause acute, life-threatening disease or collection may result in a false-negative standard
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chronic debilitating illness (p. 111). Causes of Abnormally Low Levels PCR or ePCR , even if the antibiotic is not
Infected animals may be seronegative; therefore, sufficient for the treatment of infection.
Reference Interval ePCR should be considered if there is clinical
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• Immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) test for suspicion of bartonellosis. Cyclic bacteremia Lab Artifacts
Bartonella spp. Negative titer is < 1:64. or low numbers of organisms can result in PCR: false-positive results via contamination
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• PCR: Reported as positive or negative false-negatives for ePCR . A combination of of samples or mispriming; false-negative results
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both serology and ePCR is ideal. due to degradation of nucleic acids by improper
Causes of Abnormally High Levels sample handling and storage or low numbers
Seropositivity indicates exposure to Bar- Next Diagnostic Steps to Consider of circulating organisms
tonella spp., but not necessarily current if Levels Are Low
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infection. Cross-reactivity with Coxiella, Testing of three blood samples by ePCR Specimen Collection and Handling
Chlamydophila, and nonpathogenic Barton- is recommended, or empirical treatment if Contact laboratory for specific instructions. IFA:
ella spp. may confound IFA results. Positive indicated. submit 1 mL serum (red top tube). Standard
standard PCR or PCR/culture in enrichment PCR: submit 2 mL whole blood collected
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media (ePCR ) is consistent with current Important Interspecies Differences via aseptic technique in EDTA (lavender top
infection. Cats: chronic infection is common in healthy tube) frozen at -20°C or refrigerated at 2-8°C.
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cats with flea exposure, so IFA is of limited .ePCR : submit 2-4 mL whole blood collected
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