Prevalence and microscopic studies of Sarcocystis infection in naturally infected water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

species are the obligate tissue protozoan parasites of livestock causing clinical and subclinical disease resulting in downgrading of the meat and their products thereby leading to economic losses. The present study reveals the prevalence and distribution of sarcocystosis in water buffaloes () slaughtered at local abattoirs in A.P for a period of 1 year from June 2014 to May 2015. A total of 137 buffalo carcasses were screened grossly and microscopically organ wise viz., esophagus, tongue, heart, diaphragm and intercostal muscles. Out of 137 screened, 91 were infected with an overall prevalence of 66.42 %. Age wise analysis of 89 young male calves aged about 18-36 months old revealed 65.16 % (58/89) and 48 old she buffaloes (5-8 years) showed 68.75 % (33/48). The organ wise prevalence was highest in esophagus (51.82 %) followed by tongue (47.44 %), heart (29.92 %), diaphragmatic muscles (28.46 %) and intercostal muscles (18.24 %), respectively. Morphometric studies revealed the presence of two species, i.e., and infection with a prevalence of 43.79 and 22.62 %, respectively, along with mixed infection rate of 43.06 %. Microscopic studies of showed sarcocyst length/width/cyst wall thickness ranged between 0.31-0.69/0.09-0.12 mm/<1 µm, respectively, and bradyzoites with an average of 6.25 µm length/2.5 µm width. Similarly, cyst ranged between 2 and 8.5 mm/1-3 mm/2-5 µm and bradyzoites with an average of 10 µm length/2.5 µm width. The histopathological studies revealed congestion and degenerative changes of myocytes along with infiltration of mononuclear cells.

Detection of Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses in Buffaloes Naturally Infected with Sarcocystosis with Risk Factor Assessment

“…Similar results were recorded in previous study as low infection rate 30.76% was found in animals less than 1 year old and 87.32% was found in 2-6 years old animals [29]. On the other hand, JyothiSree et al [26] recorded that the infection rate increased with the age with slight variation between the different groups as 65.16% of 1.5-3 years old animals and 68.75% of the 5-8 years old animals were infected. Moreover, 78% infection rate of animals under 2 years old and 88% of animals older than 2 years was detected by Oryan et al [28].…”

“…Globally, a high prevalence rate was recorded in different countries including China (94%) [23], and Thailand (100%) [24]. But, a lower rate of 65%, 66.4%, and 66.7% was recorded in Philippines [25], India [26], and Malaysia [27] respectively. It is worth noting that, number of sporocysts disseminated by the defi nitive host and its ability to survive and counteract the environmental conditions like temperature and humidity are amongst the main determinants of the infection rate [9,28].…”

Investigation of Sarcocystis spp. in slaughtered cattle and sheep by peptic digestion and histological examination in Sulaimani Province, Iraq

“…Fresh tissue samples were subjected to gross examination for the presence of macrocysts, and the microsarcocysts were detected using the peptic digestion method, followed by microscopic examination and histological examination of stained muscle samples [21].…”

Pathological and molecular study of ovine diaphragms naturally infected by Sarcosystis spp.

“…The histopathological changes of diaphragm muscles represented by the presence of sarcocysts were ruptured and degenerated. The rupture of cyst may be happened due to a host immune reaction or by over distention that occur during the development or as a result of accumulation of metabolic product and cytotoxin that enhanced osmotic pressure and crossing of fluid in to the cyst which become weakened and then ruptured (15), so that the contents of the rupture cyst (bradyzoites and toxins) into the surrounding tissue cause damage and massively infiltration of inflammatory cells specially eosinophils, macrophages,lymphocytes, monocytes and occasionally giant cells at the site of lesion (16,17). These result supported the theory involved the antigenic effects of Sarcosystis have a significance role in activation of immune response then development of eosinophilic myositis (5,18).…”