FLOTAC training on how to find helminth eggs

In the first week of February, the MSQ BOKU team (Julia, Marco and Johannes) together with Georg from the Austrian Red Cross were trained by the University of Naples, Frederico II in the usage of the Mini-Flotac technique for helminth detection.

The detection of helminth eggs is one of the corner stones of planned analytical capabilities of the MSQ field test kit. Soil transmitted helminthiasis (worm infections transmitted through faecal matter contaminated soil) are still a huge health problem in the developing world, especially when faecal matter is insufficiently treated and inadequately handled.

Prof. Giuseppe Cringoli and his working group developed the group of Flotac techniques (Flotac, Mini-Flotac and Fill-Flotac). The all Flotac methodologies offer the advantage high analytical sensitivity, while ensure easy handling.

The training curriculum was adapted to the needs of the MSQ project and focused on Mini-Flotac. The Mini-Flotac and Fill-Flotac systems were developed with low-tech laboratories in mind, thus fitting perfectly the idea of the MSQ field test kit.

During the weeklong course we trained sample preparation with Fill-Flotac, the handling of Mini-Flotac and the microscopically analysis of helminth infected faecal samples.

At BOKU were are currently starting to implement the newly learned method in out lab for further testing in the MSQ field test kit.

We would like to thank Prof. Giuseppe Cringoli, Prof.ssa Laura Rinaldi and their working group for the training, advice and the warm welcome. Especial thanks goes out to our instructor Davide Ianniello.
http://www.parassitologia.unina.it/?lang=en

Author: Johannes Bousek, BOKU