Assessment of the diagnostic activity in the parasitology laboratory from the Veterinary College of Alfort (2018-2022)

International audience; Background and aimsThe main goal of the laboratory of Parasitology at the Veterinary College of Alfort (EnvA) is to offer its expertise in parasite research and identification for the diagnosis of animal parasitic infections.

Its activity includes diagnostic services offered to EnvA hospitals, veterinary practitioners and pet breeders.

It also provides important teaching support at EnvA.

In order to assess its diagnostic activity, we decided to compile and analyse the data collected by the laboratory between 2018 and 2022.

Methods All the analytical data produced in our laboratory is stored within a database management software (4D).

We extracted all relevant information regarding type of sample, technique requested, host (species, breed and age), and results.

All datasets were curated and analysed by descriptive statistics.ResultsIn total, nearly 2500 parasitological analyses were carried out in five years.

Most of samples arrived from Paris region.

Diagnostic requests comprised 1646 analyses for the detection of helminth eggs and protozoa (direct examination, flotation and formalin-ether sedimentation techniques) and 549 analyses for the detection of nematode larvae (Baermann method).

We also treated a smaller number of analyses for parasite detection in blood (serology and Knott test, n=201).

We observed a decrease of diagnostic requests during COVID pandemics, but it recovered quickly the next year.

The interaction between the laboratory and veterinary practitioners (veterinary teaching hospitals and private practice), seems to get reinforced every year.

There was a higher number of analyses coming from pet animals (cats, dogs), and protists were the most detected parasites all along the years assessed.

Results also confirmed the persistent presence of Strongyloides stercolaris, which was observed for the first time in France in 2005 by our laboratory.