Morphoidentification of intestinal nematodes in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) from Cajamarca City, Peru

The research objective was to identify helminths in guinea pigs from processing centers in the city of Cajamarca, determining the frequency, morphometric characteristics, parasite gender, and location. The diagnosis of intestinal parasites was made by examining and opening the postmortem gastrointestinal tract and the morphometric characteristics were determined using a millimetric ruler, micrometric eyepiece, microscope, and stereoscope. At the end of the investigation, a frequency of 76% of nematodes was found, which according to morphometry correspond to Paraspidodera uncinata (74%), Capillaria spp. (18%), and Trichuris spp. (14%); according to location 18% were found in the small intestine (Capillaria spp. 18%), 72% in the cecum (58% correspond only to P. uncinata, 3% to Trichuris spp. and 11% to a mixed infection between both) and 23% in the colon (P. uncinata); no parasites were found in liver or stomach. Nematodes in guinea pigs from Cajamarca is high, with a greater presence of P. uncinata, located in the cecum and colon.