RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of automatic photography in the observation of results of Schistosoma japonicum miracidium hatching experiments. METHODS: Some fresh S. japonicum eggs were added into cow feces, and the samples of feces were divided into a low infested experimental group and a high infested group (40 samples each group). In addition, there was a negative control group with 40 samples of cow feces without S. japonicum eggs. The conventional nylon bag S. japonicum miracidium hatching experiments were performed. The process was observed with the method of flashlight and magnifying glass combined with automatic video (automatic photography method), and, at the same time, with the naked eye observation method. The results were compared. RESULTS: In the low infested group, the miracidium positive detection rates were 57.5% and 85.0% by the naked eye observation method and automatic photography method, respectively (χ2 = 11.723, P < 0.05). In the high infested group, the positive detection rates were 97.5% and 100% by the naked eye observation method and automatic photography method, respectively (χ2 = 1.253, P > 0.05). In the two infested groups, the average positive detection rates were 77.5% and 92.5% by the naked eye observation method and automatic photography method, respectively (χ2 = 6.894, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The automatic photography can effectively improve the positive detection rate in the S. japonicum miracidium hatching experiments.