Molecular Identification of Macroscopic And Microscopic Cysts of Sarcocystis in Sheep in North Khorasan Province, Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Pejman Bahari 1
Mitra Salehi 2
Mohsen Seyedabadi 1
Ahmad Mohammadi 1
1 Vector-Borne Diseases Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical & Laboratory of North Khorasan Veterinary Head office,Bojnurd, Iran
2 Vector-Borne Diseases Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical, Bojnurd, Iran
Abstract
Sarcocystis is an obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite which can infect humans and animals. Sheep are
intermediate hosts of four Sarcocystis species: Sarcocystis tenella, Sarcocystis gigantea, Sarcocystis arieticanis,
and Sarcocystis medusiformis The purpose of this study was to perform a molecular identification of the
macroscopic and microscopic cysts of Sarcocystis in sheep. In this investigation, the macroscopic and
microscopic cysts of Sarcocystis were assessed in slaughtered sheep. The digestion method was used for
bradyzoites observation in heart, liver, diaphragm and muscle samples. PCR analysis was conducted on
macroscopic and microscopic cysts and also all other samples. Sequencing was performed for ten PCR products.
Genotypes were identified by BLAST search and homology analysis. Macrocysts were seen in two muscle
tissues. Digestion method and PCR analysis revealed positive results in all samples taken from heart, liver,
diaphragm, and muscle. Genotyping of ten tissue samples proved that the genotype of macroscopic belonged to
Sarcocystis gigantea and microscopic cysts to Sarcocystis tenella. Microscopic cysts are more prevalent than
macroscopic cysts and they can cause enormous economic losses.
Keywords
Sarcocystis tenella
Sarcocystis gigantea
molecular analysis