Detection of parasitic helminths in cattle from Banda Aceh, Indonesia

AIM: The objective of this research was to identify the parasite species found in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas of Aceh cattle slaughtered in a Banda Aceh slaughterhouse using lactophenol and semichon carmine staining. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Each sample out of 50 samples of gastrointestinal tract and pancreas from Aceh cattle slaughtered in a Banda Aceh slaughterhouse was separated by organ. Each organ was examined for the presence of worm. Then, the parasitic worms found were subsequently collected and separated based on class and species, followed by staining using lactophenol and semichon carmine. The worms were then identified and their prevalence was determined. RESULTS: The results showed that three species of parasites were successfully identified, all belonging to the nematode class, namely, Oesophagostomum radiatum, Oesophagostomum columbianum, and Setaria labiatopapillosa with the prevalence of 12%, 10%, and 6%, respectively. In addition, there was one species of parasite from the trematode class, namely, Eurytrema pancreaticum with prevalence of 0.4%. CONCLUSION: The nematode class worms, such as O. radiatum, O. columbianum, and S. labiatopapillosa, can be stained by lactophenol, while the trematode class worm such as E. pancreaticum can be stained by semichon’s carmine.