Abstract
Parasites of the genus Sarcocystis have the ability to infect wide range of animals, birds and reptiles. Water buffaloes are intermediate hosts for four Sarcocystis species; S. fusiformis, S. buffalonis, S. levinei and S. dubeyi. There was no previous molecular identification of Sarcocystis spp. parasitizing water buffaloes from Egypt. The current study was established to screen infection rates and apply genetic identification of the macroscopic Sarcocystis spp. infecting Egyptian water buffalos in El-Gharbia province, Egypt. Sarcocysts of both S. fusiformis and S. buffalonis were grossly examined through meat inspection in slaughterhouse, followed by histological identification of the detected sarcocysts. Finally, molecular identification using PCR, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rRNA gene was conducted. Comparison of the obtained sequences of the local tested isolates of both S. fusiformis and S. buffalonis with those previously reported for different Sarcocystis species those were recorded in Genbank, revealed that all the tested specimens represented both S. fusiformis and S. buffalonis. Moreover, sequence alignments of the partial 18S rRNA gene ascertained the presence of genetic variations revealing the heterogenic nature of the gene among different strains of the same Sarcocystis species in relation to the geographic distribution.
Highlights
Are highly prevalent in livestock and are considered to be host specific (Dubey et al, 1989).Sarcocystis is a large genus of intracellular, cystforming coccidian parasites belonging to the protozoa (Sporozoa: Apicomplexa) with an obligate two host life cycle between predators as final hosts and their prey animals as intermediate hosts
Comparison of the obtained sequences of the local tested isolates of both S. fusiformis and S. buffalonis with those previously reported for different Sarcocystis species those were recorded in Genbank, revealed that all the tested specimens represented both S. fusiformis and S. buffalonis
The present investigation revealed higher infection rates with both Sarcocystis species in old-aged animals (5 years and above), than those occurred in younger animals (2-3 years)
Summary
Are highly prevalent in livestock and are considered to be host specific (Dubey et al, 1989).Sarcocystis is a large genus of intracellular, cystforming coccidian parasites belonging to the protozoa (Sporozoa: Apicomplexa) with an obligate two host life cycle between predators as final hosts and their prey animals as intermediate hosts. Few Sarcocystis species are pathogenic to animals with a great economic impact as they cause reduced weight gain, poor feeding efficiency, anorexia, fever, anemia, muscle weakness, reduced milk yield, abortion and mortality of intermediate hosts such as S. cruzi in cattle, S. tenella in Corresponding Author: Tokuma Yanai, Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan Tel/Fax: +81-58-293-2943. Macroscopic visible cysts, like S. fusiformis, S. buffalonis and S. gigantea, may render meat unaesthetic and lead to condemnation of infected carcasses (Dubey et al, 1989; Yang et al, 2000; Hilali et al, 2011). S. fusiformis and Sarcocystis buffalonis form macroscopic sarcocysts with cats as the definitive host, while Sarcocystis levinei and Sarcocystis dubeyi form microscopic sarcocysts. Despite dogs are known to be the definitive hosts for S. levinei, the definitive host (s) for S. dubeyi has not yet been identified (Huong, 1999a; 1999b; Huong and Uggla, 1999; Huong et al, 1997; Hilali et al, 2011)
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