So I did another egg count just now, my second since a few months ago. I followed these instructions:
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/599020/Macmaster-counting-Technique-ppt
except rather than making a large volume of flotation fluid, I mixed 40 g of salt with 100 ml. of water. I wrote about the technique and where I got my supplies here.
I did it twice to compare, with the same 4g. sample of stool, but for each chamber I used a different pipetted solution of stool/salt water solution. In other words, I filled one chamber, stirred and pipetted a second sample for the other chamber. Then cleaned the slide, and did it again.
I am at 6 months post re-inoculation with 10 hookworms. Quantitative egg count? 1050 epg the first sample, 1200 epg the second. The last time I counted it was 800 epg. Plus or minus a few eggs, this is roughly consistent.
I wanted to do an egg count to assess my numbers, since tomorrow I am getting a brain MRI with contrast and on Thursday, a partial crown with local anasthetic. The second may affect the worms, so I’m waiting at least 5 days after the crown and then will do another count to see what I’ve got.
If the egg count drops off and they die, then I will reinfect with 10-15 worms. If I still have some, I may do nothing.
We wondered last year about immunity to hookworms, whether those with Crohn’s couldn’t hold onto their infection as long as others, why I lost my population, etc. It’s nice to know that after 6 months, a mere 10 hookworms are still kicking out a steady egg production.
As far as doing the egg count, it’s not that bad. If you’ve had IBD for any length of time, you are well versed in shitting into a plastic cup. You only need 4 g. of stool, which is like a tablespoon. I work next to an open window for the mixing and filtering of the stool, but I don’t find the smell that offensive. I know that at times my stools and gas can smell foul; I would choose not to test during those days. The actual egg count is not smelly at all, since you are mixing a large volume of salt water with a very small volume of feces, and the slide chambers are small, so there isn’t much to smell. I’m sure incubation will be worse.
Will let everyone know the results after the MRI and dental work. And I have to say, for a non-scientist, it’s rather fun to identify and count the little egg shapes with multiple ball-like clusters in it. I enjoy playing with beakers! Until the studies are published, it’s up to us to troubleshoot and figure out why we are losing worms, what kills them, and how long they procreate and are effective.
Try it! I advocate putting the microscope in your own hands.:
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