Molecular detection of Sarcocystis aucheniae in the blood of llamas from Argentina

Martin, Mara; Franco, Cecilia Decker; Romero, Sandra; Carletti, Tamara; Schnittger, Leonhard; Florín-Christensen, Mónica

doi:10.1016/j.ram.2016.03.009

Cited by 13 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…A variety of molecular methods have been developed for assessing the genetic diversity as well as for the diagnosis of Sarcocystis spp. in animals [ 16 , 38 , 39 ]. The first molecular identification of macrocysts of S. aucheniae in alpacas was made in Australia where the 18S rRNA gene fragment was amplified using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) [ 27 ], and the phylogenetic analyses of the 18S rRNA sequences revealed that these were different from those of Sarcocystis spp.…”

Section: Diagnosis Of Sarcocystosis In Sacsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Contrarily, the detection of Sarcocystis DNA from body fluids (such as blood) could be a much more valuable diagnostic tool for early diagnosis, particularly for the identification of microcyst-forming Sarcocystis spp. Recently, a semi-nested PCR was developed to detect the DNA of S. aucheniae from blood in llamas [ 38 ]. This method allowed the detection of as few as 100 bradyzoites per ml of blood.…”

Section: Diagnosis Of Sarcocystosis In Sacsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Molecular diagnosis of Sarcocystis spp. from blood could be another potential method for the early detection of Sarcocystis in SACs [ 38 ]. Studies have shown that merozoites could be detected in buffy coat preparations from cattle experimentally infected with Sarcocystis sp.…”

Section: Research Gaps and Future Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Sarcocystosis in South American camelids: The state of play revisited

Saeed

Rashid

Vaughan³

et al. 2018

Parasites Vectors

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Members of the genus Sarcocystis (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) are intracellular protozoan parasites that infect a wide range of domestic and wild animals, resulting in economic losses in production animals worldwide. Sarcocystis spp. have indirect life-cycles where canids and felids serve as main definitive hosts while a range of domestic and wild animals serve as intermediate hosts, including South American camelids (SACs) such as alpacas, llamas and guanacos. These animals primarily occur in South American countries on Andean, elevated plains but in recent years, alpacas and llamas have become emerging animal industries in other parts of the world such as Australia, Europe and the USA due to their high-quality fiber, meat and hides. For instance, alpaca meat is becoming popular in many parts of the world due to its lower cholesterol content than other red meat, thereby it has the potential of a valuable product for both local and international markets. However, SAC meat can be degraded and/or even condemned due to the presence of macroscopic sarcocysts in skeletal muscles, leading to significant economic losses to farmers. The infection is generally asymptomatic, though highly pathogenic or even fatal Sarcocystis infections have also been reported in alpacas and llamas. Despite the economic importance of sarcocystosis in SACs, little is known about the life-cycle of parasites involved, disease transmission, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, control and public health significance. This review article provides an in-depth analysis of the existing knowledge on the taxonomy, epidemiology, clinicopathology and diagnosis of Sarcocystis in SACs, highlights knowledge gaps and proposes future areas of research that could contribute to our better understanding of sarcocystosis in these animals.

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Section: Diagnosis Of Sarcocystosis In Sacsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Diagnosis Of Sarcocystosis In Sacsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Sarcocystosis in South American camelids: The state of play revisited

Saeed

Rashid

Vaughan³

et al. 2018

Parasites Vectors

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“…El porcentaje, relativamente más bajo (74,0 %) hallados en alpacas de 2 años, se debe probablemente a que los quistes de Sarcocystis aff. aucheniae Brumpt, 1903(Carletti et al, 2013Martin et al, 2016;More et al, 2016) son de crecimiento lento y se hacen visibles entre 18 a 24 meses de edad (Leguía, 1991).…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

Prevalencia De Sarcocystis en Alpacas (Lama Pacos) Y en Perros Pastores De Una Ganadería De La Sierra Central Del Perú

Santiago¹,

Leguía²

2018

Biotempo

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Se realizó un estudio a fi n de determinar la prevalencia de Sarcocystis sp. en alpacas y perros pastores de una empresaganadera de la sierra central del Perú. Se realizaron exámenes macro y microscópicos del músculo esquelético y cardiacode alpacas benefi ciadas en el camal de la empresa, a fi n de detectar los niveles de infección por micro o macroquistes,respectivamente. La edad de los animales fue determinada por la dentición. La búsqueda de quistes macroscópicos serealizó mediante el examen visual de los canales, en tanto que los quistes microscópicos se diagnosticaron mediante elMétodo del Trichinoscopio. El examen parasitológico de heces en perros pastores se efectuó en el 30 % de la población por el Método de Flotación con Solución Sobresaturada de Zinc a fin de detectar ooquistes y/o esporoquistes. Se encontróaltos niveles de infección por micro o / macroquistes de Sarcocystis (75 % al 100 %) en alpacas de 2, 3 y 4 años de edad,respectivamente y un 36% de perros pastores infectados con ooquistes y /o esporoquistes. Se discuten algunos factoresepidemiológicos que favorecen la difusión de este parásito.

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“…In a previous study, we showed for the first time that the transit of S. aucheniae through the SAC bloodstream can be detected by molecular methods (Martín et al., 2016). The present work was aimed at improving the molecular detection of S. aucheniae and applying it to llama samples of Argentina and Bolivia to estimate the field prevalence and risk factors, as well as studying the possible usefulness of this test for pre-slaughter diagnosis to predict the presence of cysts in llama meat.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Sarcocystis aucheniae in blood of llama using a duplex semi-nested PCR assay and its association with cyst infestation

Franco

Romero

Ferrari

et al. 2018

Heliyon

Self Cite

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The protozoon Sarcocystis aucheniae is the causative agent of South American camelid (SAC) sarcocystosis. Infections are characterized by the presence of cysts in muscles which are in size and appearance similar to rice grains. As consumption of insufficiently cooked infected meat produces gastroenteritis, cyst-containing SAC meat is confiscated by sanitary authorities or depreciated with serious economic consequences for SAC breeders. In this work, a duplex semi-nested PCR was designed to simultaneously detect parasite and llama DNA in host blood samples. Species-specific regions of S. aucheniae 18S rRNA gene and Lama glama 16S mitochondrial gene were amplified, yielding bands of 583 and 257 bp, respectively, and separated by gel electrophoresis. The method proved to be highly sensitive, with a detection limit lower than one parasite per milliliter blood, and the inclusion of primers to detect llama-specific DNA resulted useful as a methodological control. Blood samples collected from llamas of Argentina and Bolivia (n = 225) were analyzed using this method, and 18.7 % resulted positive for S. aucheniae. No correlation was found between PCR results and llama age, sex or the finding of macroscopic cysts in meat after slaughter. Lack of molecular detection in the blood of some llamas harboring macrocysts suggests that parasite circulation in the bloodstream after encystment is under the detection threshold of the test or even absent, while PCR positive results in cyst-infested animals suggests that prior exposure to the parasite does not impede subsequent infections. The described method can be useful to detect active foci of infection, to assess the effectiveness of parasiticide treatments, and for the surveillance and tracing of definitive hosts.

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Molecular detection of Sarcocystis aucheniae in the blood of llamas from Argentina

Cited by 13 publications

References 7 publications

Sarcocystosis in South American camelids: The state of play revisited

Sarcocystosis in South American camelids: The state of play revisited

Prevalencia De Sarcocystis en Alpacas (Lama Pacos) Y en Perros Pastores De Una Ganadería De La Sierra Central Del Perú

Detection of Sarcocystis aucheniae in blood of llama using a duplex semi-nested PCR assay and its association with cyst infestation

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