Occurrence of Fasciola gigantica and Paramphistomum spp Infection in Aceh Cattle

Abstract

Fasciola gigantica and Paramphistomum spp. are trematode helminth causing severe economic losses in cattle farming in Aceh Province, Indonesia. This study was conducted to examine the correlation between the prevalence of F. gigantica and Paramphistomum spp infections with the body condition and sex of Aceh cattle. In total, 103 cattle (50 males and 53 females) from an abattoir in Banda Aceh were used. The body condition score was recorded and the number of fluke eggs in feces was examined coproscopically. The results showed that F. gigantica prevalence was 41% and 72% in females and males, respectively, whereas, the prevalence of Paramphistomum spp in females and males was 81% and 72%, respectively. The average number of fasciola eggs was 2.55 eggs/ g feces and 2.75 eggs/ g feces in females and males, respectively, The average number of Paramphistomum spp eggs was 127.6 eggs/g feces and 36.8 eggs/ g feces in males, and female respectively. Based on the Body Condition Score (BCS), the prevalence of both trematodes was higher in the skinny cattle (BSC 2 and 3). This study established that the infection of Fasciola in BCS 3 was higher than BCS 2 and 4. Male cattle were more susceptible to infection than females.