4.2. Coprological Examination

Formalin-fixed fecal samples were processed for examination. For the modified formalin ether sedimentation technique, the procedure began with thorough mixing of the fecal suspension and sieving through gauze into a test tube. The test tube was then vigorously shaken, followed by the addition of 3 mL of ether as an extractor of fat and fecal debris. After centrifugation for 5 min at 1500 rpm, the supernatant was discarded, and the sediment was examined using a light microscope. For Sheather’s sugar floatation technique, the fecal sample was suspended in distilled water and sieved with a double layer of gauzes, transferred to a test tube, and centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 5 min. The supernatant was then poured off, and Sheather’s sugar solution (approximately 1.27 specific gravity) was added as a flotation solution. The mixture was then vigorously shaken and centrifuged at 1000 rpm for another 10 min. The tube was filled with Sheather’s sugar solution up to the upper meniscus and covered with a coverslip. About 15 min later, the coverslip was removed, and the sample was placed onto a glass slide and examined under the microscope. The identification of eggs, ova, and larva was made on the basis of standard keys such as size, shape, nature of the shell, and nature of germinal cells [24,55].