Sarcocystosis among Wild Captive and Zoo Animals in Malaysia

Abstract

Sarcocystis sp. infection was investigated in 20 necropsied captive wild mammals and 20 birds in 2 petting zoos in Malaysia. The gross post-mortem lesions in mammals showed marbling of the liver with uniform congestion of the intestine, and for birds, there was atrophy of the sternal muscles with hemorrhage and edema of the lungs in 2 birds. Naked eye examination was used for detection of macroscopic sarcocysts, and muscle squash for microscopic type. Only microscopically visible cysts were detected in 8 animals and species identification was not possible. Histological examination of the sections of infected skeletal muscles showed more than 5 sarcocysts in each specimen. No leukocytic infiltration was seen in affected organs. The shape of the cysts was elongated or circular, and the mean size reached 254 × 24.5 mm and the thickness of the wall up to 2.5 mm. Two stages were recognized in the cysts, the peripheral metrocytes and large numbers of crescent shaped merozoites. Out of 40 animals examined, 3 mammals and 5 birds were positive (20%). The infection rate was 15% and 25% in mammals and birds, respectively. Regarding the organs, the infection rate was 50% in the skeletal muscles followed by tongue and heart (37.5%), diaphragm (25%), and esophagus (12.5%). Further ultrastructural studies are required to identify the species of Sarcocystis that infect captive wild animals and their possible role in zoonosis.

Gastrointestinal parasites of zoonotic importance observed in the wild, urban, and captive populations of non‐human primates in Malaysia

“…Two major groups (protozoan and helminths) and four classes from the helminths group, namely nematodes, cestodes, trematodes, and pentastomida were major taxa groups of GI parasites that infect NHP during this study. This current finding is consistent with those reported as infecting NHP species in Malaysia and worldwide . Thus, all taxa groups recorded in this study were common groups infecting NHP and other animals including humans.…”

“…One similar study based on the intestinal parasites of free‐ranging, semi‐captive, and captive Pongo abelli in Sumatera, Indonesia, has been conducted but none in Malaysia . Besides that, little information is known on the prevalence of GI parasites in the NHP in Malaysia . There is a grave lack of similar studies related to the survey and the prevalence of GI parasites in different NHP populations, and most were reported on the captivity and wild populations of NHP .…”

“…None of the studies were related directly with GI parasites on urban cases except for individual case reports in Malaysia . Although some basic data on the diversity and prevalence of parasites are available, a limited number of NHP species and/or GI species was investigated . Such studies will not only benefit preventive medicine, but also in captive NHP management and conservation of the wild population.…”

Initial Patient Cluster and First Positive Biopsy Findings in an Outbreak of Acute Muscular Sarcocystis-Like Infection in Travelers Returning from Tioman Island, Peninsular Malaysia, in 2011

“…The structure was compatible with a cyst of Sarcocystis sp. reported in Malaysia from human (3) and animal muscular tissue (4). Electron microscopy of the remaining tissue did not reveal any further parasitic cysts.…”

Muskuläre Sarkozystose nach Malaysiareise: eine Fallserie aus Deutschland

“…Dies könnte erklären, warum beim Menschen die Muskelenzymerhöhung erst im späteren Stadium auftritt. Passend zur Schmerzlokalisation wurden Sarkozysten bei Tieren am häufigsten in der Skelettmuskulatur, seltener auch im Herzen gefunden [15,20,22,27].…”