Types and Prevalence of Helminth Species in Local Sheep in Pangalengan District

Abstract

Gastrointestinal parasitism remains a major constraint to sheep productivity in tropical smallholder systems. This study identified gastrointestinal helminths and concurrently detected coccidian oocysts, determined prevalence, and characterized L3 larvae morphometrically in 26 local sheep from Pangalengan District, West Java. Fecal examination using flotation and McMaster techniques detected three parasite groups, namely strongyle-type nematodes (88.46%, mean 748.1 EPG), coccidian oocysts (96.15%, mean 825.0 OPG), and Trichuris spp. (7.69%). Morphometric analysis of 50 cultured L3 larvae indicated mixed infections provisionally consistent with Trichostrongylus spp., Cooperia spp., and Haemonchus spp. Morphotypes provisionally consistent with Trichostrongylus spp. and Haemonchus spp. predominated, comprising 82% of larvae examined, with body dimensions smaller than published reference values.