Evaluation of a composite method for counting helminth eggs in cattle faeces.

Data from a cattle helminth monitoring service operated in Queensland, Australia were used to evaluate a composite faecal egg counting method using the modified McMaster technique. The composite method was compared with the standard method of performing egg counts on each individual faecal sample per submission. No significant (P > 0.05) difference was detected in the egg count results provided by the composite and standard methods. An excellent level of agreement (kappa statistic = 0.86) between the two methods was also found when count results were categorised. We consider the composite counting method to be a valid alternative to performing counts on all individual faecal samples submitted from cattle herds to diagnostic laboratories for parasitological examination. The use of composite method represents significant savings in time, labour and the cost of parasitological services offered by laboratories.