Abstract
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of all parasitic forms (eggs, larvae, cysts, and oocysts) by using two flotation methods in soil from public places and fee-free gardens in West Zawia City, Libya. From 2025 to 2026, 160 soil samples were collected from various sites by simple random selection. To recover parasites, the soil samples were examined by sodium nitrate flotation, sucrose flotation method. The McNemar test and Kappa Index were used to analyses the statistical significance of the results.
The prevalence of soil parasites was as follows, Toxocara spp. eggs in sodium nitrate flotation (42.7%) and in sucrose flotation method (37%), Isospora spp. in sodium nitrate flotation (14.7%) and in sucrose flotation method (22.7%), nematode larvae in sodium nitrate flotation (44.7%) and in sucrose flotation method (28%), Eimeria spp. in sodium nitrate flotation (12.7%) and in sucrose flotation method (28.7%), Coccidian oocyst and Sarcocystis spp. in sodium nitrate flotation (18%) and in sucrose flotation method (40%), Dicrocoelium dendriticum in sodium nitrate flotation (6.7%) and in sucrose flotation method (6%), Geohelminths in sodium nitrate flotation (10.7%) and in sucrose flotation method (7.4%).
Furthermore, following sucrose flotation method performance, modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique was done and oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. was detected in 19 (14%) of soil samples. The McNemar test revealed significant differences between the sucrose and sodium nitrate flotation methods for parasite detection.