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1340 Fecal Flotation Feline Coronavirus Testing

• Contamination or overgrowth of normal Relative Cost: $$ • As whole genome and/or metagenomic 16S
flora Pearls rRNA PCR sequencing techniques become
VetBooks.ir Specimen Collection and Handling • Many of these pathogens are slow growing tories, these may provide more complete
more readily available in reference labora-
and may take several days before a result
characterization of the fecal microbiota
Fresh feces in a sterile container strongly
preferred over rectal swabs. Many of the
profile than routine fecal culture techniques.
can be provided.
listed bacterial isolates require special trans- • Several laboratories now offer “diarrhea AUTHOR: Erin N. Burton, DVM, MS, DACVP
port medium. Contact reference laboratory panels” with PCR tests for multiple enteric EDITOR: Lois Roth-Johnson, DVM, PhD, DACVP
to obtain appropriate media and transport pathogens; these have increasingly replaced
instructions. the use of traditional fecal culture.

Fecal Flotation

Definition cestodes, trematodes, or protozoan oocysts (coc- • Plant debris and pollen are common
Screening test for the identification of parasitic cidians) or cysts (Giardia sp.) can be identified. pseudoparasites.
ova or cysts in feces
Next Diagnostic Steps to Consider Specimen Collection and Handling
Synonyms if Levels are High Gross examination of the feces is an important
Qualitative fecal exam, simple or passive fecal Positive test result correlates with infection. first step of the fecal examination for the
flotation, centrifugal fecal flotation identification of cestode proglottids or adult
Causes of Abnormally Low Levels helminths. A minimum of 3-5 g of fresh feces
Physiology • Intermittent shedding of ova or pre-patent (within hours) or refrigerated (<24 hours) is
The specific gravity of a solution coupled period for pathogen preferred. All specimens submitted to a reference
with gravity (simple or passive) or centripetal • For parasites with “heavy” ova, or low laboratory should be transported with cold
(centrifugal) motion result in the flotation of numbers of ova, fecal flotation may not be packs. Helminth eggs can be preserved in feces
parasitic eggs to the surface. Depending on the sensitive. In general, the higher the specific with an equal volume of 5%-10% buffered
method, the parasitic ova will adhere to the gravity, the greater the variety of parasitic formalin. Samples that have been fixed should
coverslip placed over the vial or are extracted ova that can be detected be denoted on submission form.
from the meniscus with a microbiological loop.
The coverslip or extracted fluid is examined at Next Diagnostic Steps to Consider Relative Cost: $
low (10× obj.) and high (40× obj.) power for if Levels are Low
parasitic ova or cysts. Serial fecal flotation, other gastrointestinal or Pearls
respiratory diagnostic testing • Ova burden does not always correlate well
Reference Interval to worm burden as some species are more
Reported as “no ova seen” or positive with genus Drug Effects prolific egg layers than others; thus serial
or family identification Administration of anthelmintic may decrease testing is often necessary.
ova or cyst shedding. • Preservation in buffer formalin offers the
Causes of Abnormally High Levels potential benefit of inactivating many other
Gastrointestinal (or uncommonly respiratory) Lab Artifacts infectious agents.
parasitic infections. Ova from various nema- • Flotation solutions with high specific gravities
todes (e.g., ascarids, hookworms, whipworms), may distort ova or cyst morphology. AUTHOR: Erin N. Burton, DVM, MS
EDITOR: Lois Roth-Johnson, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Feline Coronavirus Testing

Definition Synonym blood vessels of serosal surfaces, uvea, kidney,
Feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection refers to FIP titers liver, and other tissues. A pyogranulomatous
two distinct entities: feline infectious peritonitis response ensues. Proteinaceous abdominal
(FIP) and feline enteric coronaviral (FECV) Physiology or thoracic effusion results from increased
enteritis. FIP is a systemic viral disease of high In FIP, FCoV is ingested and then repli- vascular permeability. FIP-type is thought to
mortality characterized by insidious onset, fever, cates in intestinal epithelial cells and prob- represent a spontaneous mutation of FCoV
disseminated pyogranulomatous inflammation, ably tonsils and oropharynx. In some cats, that occurs in vivo in some cats.
and in some cases, proteinaceous effusions in a mutated virus infects macrophages, with
body cavities (“wet form”). FECV causes mild subsequent extension to multiple tissues. Reference Interval
transient diarrhea and/or vomiting and, less Antiviral antibodies are produced such that • Serologic titer by IFA or ELISA: refer to
commonly, chronic or severe diarrhea. immune complexes form and are deposited in testing laboratory

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