Comparing the Performance of OvaCyte and Traditional Techniques in Detecting Canine Gastrointestinal Parasites

Background Companion animals are infected with a range of helminth and protozoan parasites which can have a significant effect on the health and welfare of animals. While several diagnostic techniques are available to detect parasitic infection in animals, they all vary in sensitivity and specificity. This study aims to estimate the diagnostic performance of the OvaCyte ^TM Pet Analyser by comparing it with established benchmarks commonly used in reference laboratories. Methods A total of 141 canine faecal samples, containing at least one species of parasite after screening using double centrifugation, were tested using 4 index tests: centrifugal flotation (faeces weighing both 1 g and 2 g), passive flotation, and the OvaCyte ^TM technique. The true status of each sample was determined on the basis of the initial screening test and the aggregated result of the 4 index tests. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each of the 4 index tests. Results The OvaCyte ^TM Pet Analyser displayed high sensitivity ranging from 90% to 100% in detecting various parasite species in canines. Its sensitivity for roundworm and hookworm detection differed significantly from centrifugal flotation using 1 g and passive flotation techniques (P < 0.05). The OvaCyte™ demonstrated higher sensitivity and specificity (100%) compared to all flotation techniques (centrifuged or not) in detecting Cystoisospora spp. and Capillaria spp. (P < 0.001). Conclusion These results highlight the variability in sensitivity across different diagnostic methods, underscoring the importance of selecting the most reliable technique for accurate parasite detection in veterinary practice. However, the OvaCyte ^TM Pet Analyser exhibits an elevated level of sensitivity compared to other techniques.