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Table 2 Comparison of major coprolite and intestinal wash methods.

From: Recovering parasites from mummies and coprolites: an epidemiological approach

Method

Prelima

Quantb

Rehydratc

Disaggregd

Screeninge

Concentf

Post-analysisg

Callen

Cleaned, imaged, sectioned or cored

Lyco

0.5% Na3PO4; 48hr

Magnetic stirrer, active separation of particles w/ water jet and spatula

250 μm mesh

Centrifuge

Retain all macro and micro remains and unprocessed section

Lutz, Korea

0.5% Na3PO4; 1 wk

Agitation

Three layers of double gauze

Passive sediment 1 day then mixed w/10% neutral buffered formalin

Lutz, Brazil

Cleaned

0.5% Na3PO4

Glass stir rod

Three layers of double gauze

Passive sediment 1 day

Retain all macro and micro remains and unprocessed section

Reims

0.5% Na3PO4 in 5% glycerin- water w/ formalin

Crushed then ultrasonic treatment

Screened w/315 mm, 160 mm, 50 mm, and 25 mm meshes. Micro remains retained on screen

  1. a“Prelim” refers to preliminary preparation of samples
  2. b“Quant” refers to egg per gram (epg) quantification method
  3. c“Rehydrat” refers to solution and time
  4. d“Disaggreg” shows how the rehydrated samples are disaggregated
  5. e“Screening” refers to how macroscopic remains are separated from microscopic
  6. f“Concent” refers to methods of concentrating microscopic remains
  7. g“Post analysis” relates to sample conservation
  8. Abbreviations: “Lyco” refers to the application of quantification method based on Lycopodium counting