The Incidence of Helminth parasite in slaughtered swineand goat at Mandaue City Abattoir

A Project Presented to the Biology DepartmentUniversity of San Carlos

Cebu City, Philippines

Padayao, Mary Hannah RoseRaña, Gem StephenSangre, Hezel Clair

Silawan, Yerha

October 2013

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the incidence of

parasite present in the slaughtered swine and goat at Mandaue

City Abattoir. The collection of parasite was carried out from

11pm to 6 am in Aug 26 and Sep 7, 2013 at Mandaue City abattoir

which is located in Barangay Labugon, Mandaue City. Post Mortem

Examination was conducted from the 283 total number of swine and

goat. The collected parasites were identidified. The percent of

helminth inicedence showed Cysticercus cellulosae and Taenia solium has

2.5 percent while Ascaris suum has 4.52 percent. The incidence

results of the parasite in the slaughtered animals at Mandaue

City abattoir was low although not high it is still needed for

prevention and control of the parasites

Keywords: Abattoir, Helminth parasite, Incidence, Post Mortem Examination

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TABLE OF CONTENT

Title

Page

Title Page

Abstract i

Table of Content ii

Introduction 1

Review of Related Literatures

2

Definition of Terms 3

Materials and Method

4

Study Area 4

Post Mortem Inspection

6

Collection and Preservation of Helminths

6

Treatment and Analysis of Data

8

Results and Discussion 9

Parasitic Incidence 9

Prevention and Control of Helminth Parasite

11

Recommendation 13

Cited Reference 14

Appendix 17

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INTRODUCTION

Diseases of livestock become the most serious impediments to

a significant worldwide expansion in production of human food and

other useful products of animal origin (Borgart and Taylor,

1988).

Livestock are commonly infected with helminth or worm

parasites. The warm and moist condition of tropical climate and

frequent rainfall in many parts of the country contributes to the

success of parasitism.

The three groups of parasitic worms that infest and infect

animals are the Trematode (fluke), Cestode (tapeworm) and

Nematode (roundworm). They are commonly occurring in the small

intestine, liver, lungs and muscle of animal host. During

infestation, this parasitic worm causes little damage when host

is properly and adequately fed (Bebero, 2011). Diseases appear

only during heavy infestation. Some of the effect of parasitism

includes the hemorrhage, reduced feed intake, alteration in

protein metabolism, depressed level of minerals, depressed

activity of some intestinal enzyme and diarrhea. All of this

contributes to weight loss, wool growth and milk production

(Soulsby, 1977).

Parasite disease in livestock affects the income and

livelihood of farmers. Parasites were estimated by the United

states Department of Agriculture in 1885 to cause an annual loss

of $1,210,050,000 in the United State alone (Levine, 1978 and

Strickland, 1999). In the Philippines, actual losses due to

parasitic disease amount to billions of pesos a year. Federis and

Tongson (1978) cited FAO an estimate of P 75,000,000 yearly loss

from the liver fluke diseases, if left uncontrolled.

The interest and curiosity on parasitic incidence among

livestock triggers the researcher to conduct a study to determine

the incidence of helminthes parasite among goat and swine

slaughtered at Mandaue City Abbatoir.

Review of Related Literatures

Several research studies had been made on helminth parasites

that infest livestock in the Philippines. Majority of these

studies concentrated on the liver fluke infection or fascioliasis

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which according to Tongson (1973) continues to be the number one

problem among ruminants in the country. The disease is caused by

the trematodes, Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. The snail

Lymnaea rubiginosa serves as the intermediate host of these

parasites.

In Luzon, limited surveys on liver fluke showed an incidence

of 5.09 to 13.10 percent in cattle and carabaos respectively

(Federis and Tongston, 1978). In Nueva Ecija the prevalence of

fascioliasis was found to be 86 percent in carabaos and 78

percent in cattle (Tongston and Catbagan, 1977).

In the Visayas, from the 1963 to 1972 year records of the

Cebu City Abattoir, Fortunato (1973) reported that 547.68 entire

livers and 1,184 partially infested with livers due to cattle

fascioliasis were condemned out of the average total of 24,613.22

cattle slaughtered per year.

The nematode Ascaris suum is a common intestinal parasite in

pigs. Although their presence in the small intestine is not cause

for condemnation of the organ, a large infestation may cause

obstruction and the migrating larvae may injure the other organs

like the liver and lungs. Tubangui (1925) reported an incidence

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of 27.26 percent of Ascaris infestation among locally raised swine

and Intal (1997) found 35.39 percent infested pigs coming from

various parts of the country (Manuel, 1980). In Cebu City,

Fortunato (1973) revealed the monthly percentage of incidence of

swine ascariasis as 47.66 percent of the total slaughtered.

Refuerzo and Gonzales (1951) considered the human parasite,

Ascaris lumbricoides as a synonym of the swine parasite, Ascaris suum

and Trichiuris trichura as a synonym of Trichiuris suis.

Among the cestodes, the larva, Cysticercus cellulose of the

tapeworm, Taenia solium in pigs, is one of the important parasites

that are given prime attention during meat inspection. This is

because man is the definitive host of this parasite. Manuel

(1980) reported an incidence of 2.37 percent Cysticercus infection

out of 2,366 pig carcasses examined. In Mandaue City, out of

12,471 pigs slaughtered, 0.06414 percent was found to have

localized infection and 0.040000 percent was found to have

generalized infection (De Castro, 1985).

Definition of Terms

Abattoir- a slaughterhouse where animals are killed, it is where

meat productions are inspected before they are passes

for public consumption.

Helminth parasite- a worms that infest and infect animals.

Incidence- is a measure of the risk of developing some new

condition with a specified period of time.

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

Study Area

Two research areas were used in this study. They were the

Mandaue City Abattoir where the post mortem examinations of goat

and swine were conducted and the Biology laboratory of the

University of San Carlos where laboratory examinations was made.

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The investigation was carried out on pig and goats at

Mandaue City Abattoir which is situated at Barangay Labugon,

Mandaue City, it is consists of two main halls. The first hall is

for goats and cattle it has the capacity to slaughter either 10

goats a day or one cow a day. The second hall is for slaughtering

pigs which has a specialized machine that has an average capacity

of about 5 pigs. It is equipped with captive bolt stunner which

is applied to the livestock to produce quick unconsciousness in

the animal before they bled, steam cabinet wherein the animals

are immersed in the boiling water ready for dehairing machine

which is used for removal of hairs and bristles of the swine.

Most of the hair are not completely removed there’s a need to do

the manual scraping of the skin. Some of the workers were wearing

gloves and boots to protect themselves and they use knife to

slice open the internal organs. In addition there are also rooms

that are used for cleaning the internal organs of the slaughtered

animals, in which each worker has their own station. There is a

room for veterinary authorities so were they can inspect the

animal; and other rooms for changing clothes and a comfort room.

A veterinarian and a meat inspector are doing their job in

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providing inspection services. The veterinary authorities also

noted the numbers and weight of the animals that were

slaughtered.

The Biology laboratory is located at the Nasipit, Talamban ,

Cebu . It is equipped with necessary materials and equipment

needed for this study.

Figure 1. Captive bolt stunner

Figure 2. Steam cabinet

Figure 3. Dehairing machine

Post Mortem Inspection

The Post mortem inspection was conducted together with meat

inspector on 243 swine and 40 goats. Inspection was done every

day to ensure that condemned carcasses and parts are disposed

safely. The organs or parts that were examined in swine’s and

goats were the muscle, heart, liver, lungs and small intestine.

Post Mortem Examination

Percentage of Incidence of Helminth parasite

Prevention and Control

Identification and Measurement of Helminths

Collection and Preservation of helminth parasite

GoatSwine

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Figure 4. Schematic diagram of the study

Collection and Preservation of Helminths

Parasitic worms were collected either from the organs of the

slaughtered animals examined at the abattoir or from collected

organs and tissues and from the intestinal content which were

brought to the laboratory. The parasitic samples were collected

from rectum of the slaughtered pigs and goats using sterile

gloves. Parasitic samples were sorted according to the animals it

came from. The collected samples were placed in a plastic

container with 10% formalin for preservation.

In this study the larval stage known as the bladder worm or

Cysticercuss cellulosae and Taenia solium is classified under Phylum

Platyhelminthes, Class Cestoides and Family Taeniidae (Levine,

1976 and Noble, 1982). Cysticercus cellulosae is a larval parasite. Its

description is based on the characteristics seen in the fresh

state.

6

Figure 5. Cysticercus cellulosae found in goat liver

Nematodes or roundworms are classified according to Levine

(1976) and Noble (1982). The key characteristics of an Ascaris is

they contain three cell layers, bilateral symmetry,

pseudocoelomates, body cavity is

partially lined with mesoderm so

they call it a false body

cavity. They possess a one way

digestive system the mouth,

intestine and anus.

Figure 6. Ascaris suum found in the small intestine of

swine

Treatment and Analysis of Data

To determine the parasitic incidence, the total number of

organs or parts examined and the total number of organs or parts

infected by a certain parasite was considered. The percentage of

Incidence was computed by using the formula patterned after the

method used by Refuerzo and Gonzales (1851).

Percentage of Incidence = Total number of organs or parts

infected × 100

Total numbers of organs or parts examine

All data were tabulated and discussed. The parasitic

incidence obtained in this study was compared with the incidence

obtained in other data.

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Parasitic Incidence

Table .1 shows the incidence of helminth parasites and the

organ or parts they infest in swines and goats slaughtered at

Mandaue City Abbatoir.

In swine, a total of 243 small intestines were examined, 11

or 4.52 percent were infected with Ascaris suum. Out of 20 small

intestines of goat examined, 1 or 2.5 percent were infected with

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Taenia solium. The incidence of Cysticerus cellulosae is 1 or 2.5 percent.

The parasite was found in the liver of the slaughtered goat.

The highest incidence for Ascaris suum was obtained during the

1st collection dated August 26 followed by Taenia solium and

Cysticercus cellulosae which were obtained during the 2nd collection

dated September 7.

Table 1. Incidence of helminthes parasite in swine and goatParasite Organ or

PartInfested

Day 1(Aug.26)

Day 2(Sept.7)

TotalInfection

TotalIncidence

No. % No. %Ascarissuum

SmallIntestine

9 6% 2 1.11%

11 4.52%

Taeniasolium

SmallIntestine

0 0 1 5% 1 2.5%

Cysticercuscellulosae

Liver 0 0 1 5% 1 2.5%

The percent incidence obtained in the study for Ascaris suum

is 4.52% lower than the average total incidence of 36.37 percent

as reported by the following: Tubangui (1825) among locally

raised swine, 27.26 percent; Refuerzo and Gonzales (1951) among

pigs slaughtered in Cebu, 47.66 percent; Manuel (1980) in pigs

coming from various parts of the country, 35.38 percent; Laureño

(2005) among pigs slaughtered in Tagbilaran City, 11.77 percent

9

and Gonzales (1985) in Bukidnon, 23.78 percent. From this study,

the incidence of Ascaris suum implies that the people are more

aware of livestock management particularly in the control and

prevention against diseases and parasites. According to Laureño

(2005) it was also due to the commercial feds and vitamins given

to swine’s unlike before that swine’s are only fed with waste and

expired food. The incidence obtained for Cysticerous cellulosae is

considered low in fact negligible as compared with the incidence

obtained for Ascaris and Taenia. However since man can be a

definitive host, the occurrence of these parasite is considered

important. Only 1 goat out of 40 was found infected with

Cysticercus. It is important to note that those infected animals

came from rural areas in Mandaue City which is located kilometers

away from the city.

The 2.25 percent of Cysticercus infection in goat in this

study is far from the 0.564 percent incidence reported by

Fortunato (1973) in Cebu.

No flukes or any adult worms were infected in the liver of

swine and goat. Infected livers were cirrhotic, swollen and

hardened because of abnormal formation of connective tissue. They

were grayish white in color. Some cirrhotic livers were found to

have whitish or milky spots. This was indication of Ascaris

infection. Abubakar, U. (2012) and Abubakar, H. (2006) reported

that fascioliasis is a disease that affects cattle, sheep and

goats. Omale (1991) revealed also similar findings that all sorts

of grazing animals are affected with fascioliasis. However,

during the course of the present investigation there was no

single case of fascioliasis recorded instead the findings

resulted to Cestode infection. The Cestode infection appeared to

have the lowest incidence among the parasites.

And lastly, the low incidence of Ascaris parasites in the

surveyed swine could be due to the fact that most people from the

rural and urban areas practices deworming of their animals. The

low incidence of the goat is due to the fact that most of the

goats that were brought for slaughter were healthy.

Prevention and Control of Helminth Parasite

To prevent the helminth parasite in livestock, the knowledge

of the parasite life and the mode of transmission are necessary.

1

The control and prevention involves the proper and regular use of

anthelminthic, elimination of the intermediate host, animals with

suitable housing, maintenance and cleanliness in the environment

Animals become infested with Cysticercus cellulosae by ingesting

the eggs found in human feces which are excreted in the soil.

Infected meat is eaten by man who is a definitive host, harboring

the adult parasite, Taenia solium. Auto infection can occur by

putting contaminated fingers into the mouth (Noble, 1982). There

are no drugs which are effective against Cysticercus. Excision is

indicated in case of human infection. Pork must be thoroughly

cooked or frozen at 14° to 18° F for at least four days (Levine,

1978). Sanitary disposal of human waste and keeping the pigs in

an enclosed pen will prevent them from ingesting tapeworm eggs.

The life cycle of Ascaris suum is direct. Pigs become infected

by ingesting the eggs that pass out in the feces of the host. The

infective eggs hatch out in the small intestine and larvae pass

through the intestinal wall and migrate to the liver then the

lungs. The larvae are coughed up and swallowed by the swine and

grow to maturity in the small intestine. Young pigs are more

susceptible to ascaris infection, so care must be done to avoid

1

exposing them to infected adults and contaminated soil. The pigs

must be undergone deworming process such that they must take in

Dichlorvus sold as Atgard V, Hygromycin, piperazine compounds and

Thiabendazole (Bundy, et. al. 1975). Pigs confined in concrete

fences and maintaining cleanliness will greatly reduce ascaris

infection (Bebero, 2011)

RECOMMENDATION

Base on the results and findings in this study, it is

further recommended that:

1. A follow up study on the incidence of helminth parasite

among livestock slaughtered in Mandaue City abattoir should

be conducted every year.

2. Other animals like cow and chicken must be included.

3. Livestock farmers should take precaution measures in all

aspects that include deworming, good housing, and good

1

nutrition and must observe proper cleanliness in preventing

their animals against parasite.

4. The Bureau of Agriculture should increase their efforts to

assist livestock farmers in improving their stock by

providing information in good management, treatment and

control.

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1

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Abubakar, U. (2012); The incidence of liver condemnation due tofascioliasis and its economic

implications in Zaria abattoir. DVM thesis, submitted to thedepartment of veterinary

parasitology and entomology, faculty of veterinary medicine,A.B.U. Zaria.

Aliu, S. K., Joseph, D. H. and Abbagana, S. (2001);Epidemiological studies of gastrointestinal

parasitic infection in north eastern zone of Nigeria. Veterinary record, 187: 268 -279.

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APPENDIX

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Researchers (left and right) together with the City Veterinarian,

Dr. Nestor Taasan (middle)

The

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