Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Sarcocystosis”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Review of sarcocystosis in Malaysia.

Sarcocystis is a tissue coccidian with an obligatory two-host life cycle. The sexual generations of gametogony and sporogony occur in the lamina propria of the small intestine of definitive hosts which shed infective sporocysts in their stools and present with intestinal sarcocystosis. Asexual multiplication occurs in the skeletal and cardiac muscles of intermediate hosts which harbor Sarcocystis cysts in their muscles and present with muscular sarcocystosis. In Malaysia, Sarcocystis cysts have been reported from many domestic and wild animals, including domestic and field rats, moonrats, bandicoots, slow loris, buffalo, and monkey, and man. The known definitive hosts for some species of Sarcocystis are the domestic cat, dog and the reticulated python. Human muscular sarcocystosis in Malaysia is a zoonotic infection acquired by contamination of food or drink with sporocysts shed by definitive hosts. The cysts reported in human muscle resembled those seen in the moonrat, Echinosorex gymnurus, and the long-tailed monkey, Macaca fascicularis. While human intestinal sarcocystosis has not been reported in Malaysia so far, it can be assumed that such cases may not be infrequent in view of the occurrence of Sarcocystis cysts in meat animals, such as buffalo. The overall seroprevalence of 19.8% reported among the main racial groups in Malaysia indicates that sarcocystosis (both the intestinal and muscular forms) may be emerging as a significant food-borne zoonotic infection in the country.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

A survey of bovine, bubaline and swine sarcocystosis in the Philippines.

In a survey conducted from January to December, 1994, muscle tissues in 12 out of 22 slaughtered carabaos ages 8-17 years old and obtained from the Food Terminal Inc, Abbatoir in Laguna showed numerous white and creamy elliptic-shaped soft bodied macrocysts in the throat muscles. Microscopic examination of the throat and cardiac muscle tissues revealed the presence of fusiform-shaped microcysts. Our observations are consistent with previous reports incriminating Sarcocystis fusiformis as the most important etiologic agent of bubaline sarcocystosis in the country. In a survey of bovine sarcocystosis in muscle tissues of imported Australian cattle (Brahman Breed) and native cattle obtained from various slaughter houses in Manila and suburbs, prevalence rates of 17% (98/577) and 3% (1/31) were noted, respectively. Sarcocysts were predominant in skeletal muscles and to a lesser extent in cardiac, esophageal and diaphragm muscle tissues. Light microscopic examination of sarcocysts morphology suggests Sarcocystis cruzi (= Sarcocystis bovis), and Sarcocystis hominis (= Sarcocystis bovihominis) or Sarcocystis hirsuta (= Sarcocystis bovifelis) as the likely etiologic agents of bovine sarcocystosis in the country. Of the 225 swines examined, only muscle tissues from a 6-month old swine revealed very young sarcocysts (= metrocytes). A review of available documented studies on sarcocystosis suggests that to date, our findings may represent the first data on the prevalence of bovine and swine sarcocystosis in the Philippines.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Development of immunity to sarcocystosis in dairy goats.

To determine the virulence of a microscopic species of Sarcocystis, forty-six 39- to 57-day-old goats were inoculated with 10(1) to 10(6) sporocysts; 7 age-matched goats served as noninoculated controls. Four of 4 goats fed 10(6) sporocysts, 4 of 4 goats fed 10(5) sporocysts, 2 of 4 goats fed 5 x 10(4) sporocysts, and 1 of 4 goats fed 10(4) sporocysts died of sarcocystosis, whereas 30 goats fed 10(1) to 10(3) sporocysts and the 7 noninoculated controls generally remained asymptomatic. In 3 immunization trials, groups of 7 to 9 goats were challenge exposed with 10(5) or 10(6) (2 or 20 median lethal dose) sporocysts at 14, 30, and 60 days after vaccination. In the 1st trial (14 days after vaccination), 2 of 2 goats vaccinated with 10(3) sporocysts and 1 of 2 goats vaccinated with 10(2) sporocysts survived a challenge exposure with 10(5) sporocysts, whereas 2 of 2 goats fed 10(1) sporocysts and the control goat died of acute sarcocystosis. In the 2nd trial (30 days after vaccination), 2 of 2 goats vaccinated with 10(3) sporocysts and the 2 goats vaccinated with 10(2) sporocysts survived a challenge exposure with 10(5) sporocysts, whereas 2 goats vaccinated with 10(1) sporocysts and the control goat died of acute sarcocystosis. In the 3rd trial (60 days after vaccination), 2 goats vaccinated with 5 x 10(4) sporocysts, 2 goats vaccinated with 10(4) sporocysts, 2 goats vaccinated with 10(3) sporocysts, and the 2 goats vaccinated with 10(2) sporocysts survived after challenge exposure with 10(6) sporocysts, whereas 2 goats vaccinated with 10(1) sporocysts and the control goat died of acute sarcocystosis. The results indicate that goats vaccinated with 10(2) to 10(3) sporocysts develop protective immunity against lethal doses of Sarcocystis, whereas goats vaccinated with 10(1) sporocysts were not protected against a later infection with a lethal dose.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Three cases of human Sarcocystis infection with a review of human muscular sarcocystosis in Malaysia.

Three cases of muscular sarcocystosis from West Malaysia are reported. The morphological features of the parasites from these three cases are similar to the eight cases previously reported from this country. A review of this total of eleven cases of muscular sarcocystosis showed that they were all incidental findings, where man acted as intermediate hosts of as yet unknown Sarcocystis spp. These cases of muscular sarcocystosis were probably zoonotic in origin and associated with close contact with definitive hosts (both domestic and wild animals) thus permitting the contamination of food and drink with sporocysts shed by these definitive hosts. These infections were probably acquired locally as most of the subjects were born in Malaysia and none had ever left the country to stay elsewhere. Eight of the eleven cases reported were associated with malignancies, especially of the tongue and nasopharynx.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Sarcocystosis in lambs].

We studied the problems of sarcocystosis of lambs in regard to the transfer of antibodies over ewes to lambs. Antibodies in the blood serum of 26 ewes found out by help of indirect immunofluorescent reaction (NFR) varied within the range from 640 to 5120 titres, while in six cases their level was higher than in blood. In none of new-born lambs there were proved antibodies to the sarcocystosis before the drinking of colostrum but three days later we already detected antibodies in the dilution 1:4 to 1:128. Then we studied the titre dynamics of antibodies in weaned lambs. In the age of 10-18 weeks we proved only low titres of antibodies, from the 20th to the 24th weeks the titres gradually increased and from the 26th to the 30th weeks the level of antibodies increased significantly (5120 titres) with its maximum on about the 28th week. Animals had no clinic symptoms of disease. In the other part of the work we examined the muscular substance of 342 lambs, killed in the slaughter house, by a digestive method and we carried out the blood serologic examination (NFR). Microcysts were found out in 35.67% of lambs while macrocysts were so in none of them. Specific antibodies of sarcocystosis were detected in 94.44% of young animals. A high discrepancy of the both methods (61.69%) in young animals is a result of a significant antibody reaction at still undeveloped muscular cysts.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Evaluation of decoquinate, lasalocid, and monensin against experimentally induced sarcocystosis in calves.

Effects of decoquinate, lasalocid, and monensin against experimentally induced sarcocystosis (Sarcocystis bovicanis) were evaluated in 12 calves, 3 of which were inoculated, nontreated controls. Three additional calves were noninoculated, nontreated controls. Drugs were administered in the feed (33 mg/kg of feed) of the treated calves (3 calves/group) for 87 days. Eight of the 12 inoculated calves died from acute sarcocystosis during the experiment (the 3 inoculated, nontreated controls, the 3 calves given decoquinate, and 2 of the 3 calves given lasalocid). Large numbers of sarcocysts were found in tissues from inoculated calves that survived in the experiment (1 of the 3 calves given lasalocid and the 3 calves given monensin). Although large numbers of sarcocysts developed in the muscles of monensin-treated calves, monensin may have an ameliorating effect on acute sarcocystosis.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

High prevalence of human skeletal muscle sarcocystosis in south-east Asia.

The prevalence of human skeletal muscle sarcocystosis in Malaysia was determined by serial examination of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of tongue tissues obtained from consecutive, routine autopsies of subjects aged 12 years or more. Of 100 tongues examined, 21% were found to contain Sarcocystis; 66 cysts were found. The number of cysts per case varied from 1 to 13. In one case, 5 cysts were found in a single tissue section. The age range of positive cases was from 16 to 57 years (mean 37.7 years). Prevalence did not differ with regard to race, sex or occupation. The prevalence of human muscular sarcocystosis in our study was higher than that reported elsewhere. Preferential localization of Sarcocystis in tongue or head and neck and/or genuinely high prevalence in south-east Asia are possible explanations for this observation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Attempted immunization of swine against acute sarcocystosis using cystozoite-derived vaccines.

Low-dose Sarcocystis miescheriana infections have recently been shown to protect pigs against acute sarcocystosis. Because this protective immunity was short-lasting, an alternative immunization strategy was examined. Four experimental vaccines were prepared from S. miescheriana cystozoites and tested in 13 pigs. Two vaccines were prepared from intact organisms (live and formalin-fixed cystozoites) and 2 from subcellular cystozoite fractions (pellicle and protoplasm extracts). The live vaccine was injected intraperitoneally and the remainder were suspended in Freund's incomplete adjuvant and injected intramuscularly. An additional 5 pigs were injected with adjuvant or saline placebos and used as controls. Serum samples were collected regularly and tested in enzyme immunoassays for specific IgM and IgG antibodies. Low levels of IgM antibodies were detected after 8 days and elevated levels of IgG antibodies were detected after 22 days. The success of vaccination was tested 40 days after vaccination by lethal homologous challenge of each pig with 3 X 10(6) sporocysts. Despite the presence of specific antibodies at the time of challenge, all pigs died from acute sarcocystosis 12 days later. The cystozoite vaccines were therefore antigenic but not immunogenic and did not induce any protective immunity.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Pulmonary sarcocystosis in a puppy with canine distemper in Costa Rica.

Canine distemper and pulmonary sarcocystosis were diagnosed in a 10-week-old Rottweiler with 4-day history of diarrhea, vomiting, and weakness. Microscopic examination of the lung revealed bronchointerstitial pneumonia typical of morbillivirus infection. Also, numerous apicomplexan parasites were scattered in the alveolar walls. This protozoan infection was first thought to be toxoplasmosis but immunoperoxidase staining revealed large numbers of Sarcocystis canis. This is the first case of canine sarcocystosis reported from Latin America that further emphasizes the importance of immunohistochemistry in the differential diagnoses of apicomplexan infections in dogs.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Clinical muscular sarcocystosis in a dog.

Muscular sarcocystosis is a rare infection in dogs. Clinical myositis associated with an unidentified species of Sarcocystis was diagnosed in an adult dog from Canada. There was granulomatous myositis associated with numerous immature sarcocysts in a muscle biopsy obtained from the dog. The sarcocysts were up to 550 microm long and up to 45 microm wide. The sarcocyst wall was approximately 1 microm thick and contained short, stubby, villar protrusions that lacked microtubules. This is the first report on clinical muscular sarcocystosis in a dog.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Use of ELISA for the diagnostics of ovine sarcocystosis.

A modification of micro ELISA was used for the detection of specific antibodies in the diagnostics of ovine sarcocystosis. The results of ELISA compared to those of indirect fluorescence reaction (IFR) were identical in 94.7%. The titres of specific antibodies were higher in 70.8% of samples if ELISA was used. The coincidence of the two tests is statistically highly significant (P less than 0.005). ELISA can be recommended for both experimental and routine examinations for ovine sarcocystosis.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Myocardial sarcocystosis in a grand eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus) and a Moluccan cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis).

Cardiac sarcocystosis is described in a grand eclectus parrot and a Moluccan cockatoo. Many cysts containing metrocytes were observed within cardiac muscle fibers on tissue sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Characteristic ultrastructural features of the cyst walls included the presence of villous projections containing microtubules. Compartmentalization of the cysts resulted from inward extensions of the cyst wall. The differential diagnosis of sarcocystosis, the life cycle of the parasite, and control measures are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

[The extent of the incidence of sarcocystosis in cattle and pig farms].

The extensity of a chronic form of sarcocystosis was studied in certain age categories of cattle and pigs. The incidence of sarcocysts was investigated microscopically after 0.25% trypsin action in the muscles of bovine gullet and diaphragmal columns of pigs. Bovine fetuses and sucking calves did not have any sarcocysts. The first cases of positive findings were recorded in calves on milk diet (18.33%). The infestation rate of adult cattle is high in this country and reaches the level of 90%. The disease extensity in pigs is lower by an order and it did not exceed the level of 4%. There were found no significant differences (the mean 81.85%) in the infection rate in the cows coming from various regions of the CSR if the incidence of the disease was evaluated geographically. Larger percent differences were recorded between cattle and pig herds, mostly in the South Moravian Region, if evaluated by the districts and farms. The results of the investigation of 1273 head of cattle and 335 head of pigs coming from various farms were processed statistically. We tested the sarcocyst incidence in the muscular tissue in relation to the ways of housing and seasonal changes. Considerably lower rates of sarcocystosis infestation on the large cattle and pig farms were demonstrated. In the other case no relationship was proved. The samples taken in all year seasons could be evaluated in the same objective way. We discuss potential preventive measures of this parasitosis-zoonosis.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1985

[Sarcocystosis in slaughterhouse sheep].

The occurrence of sarcocystosis was studied in the sheep produced in the vicinity of Brno and killed in the slaughterhouse. Adspection, the homogenization method and the digestion method were used for the detection of muscular cysts. Antibodies to sarcocystosis were determined in the blood serum by the indirect fluorescence method. The total number of sheep examined was 157; sarcocysts were detected in the muscle of 102 sheep (64.9%). The highest incidence was recorded in ewes: 60 ewes (80%) out of 75 were positive. Out of the 157 blood serum samples examined by the indirect fluorescence method, antibodies were found in 105 samples (66.9%). The antibody response was 77.3% in ewes, 63.4% in lambs and 46.6% in rams. The highest titres (640-10 240) were obtained in 16 lambs and 26 ewes.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Hematologic and coagulation abnormalities in acute bovine sarcocystosis.

Calves inoculated with Sarcocystis cruzi sporocysts developed severe anemia 4 weeks later. The anemic crisis was paralleled by a hyperbilirubinemia, with up to 88% of the increased total bilirubin attributed to indirect reacting bilirubin. The anemia was characterized as normocytic and normochromic. In a few instances, according to Coombs's tests (antiglobulin test) and erythrocyte eluates from infected calves, immunoglobulin G was associated with the RBC membrane. In the histopathologic examinations of tissues from calves dying during the anemic crisis, there was deposition of iron in the splenic red pulp. The hematologic studies supported the claim that the anemia in acute bovine sarcocystosis is an extravascular hemolytic event, probably with an immunologic basis. In the coagulation studies, consumption coagulopathy consistent with disseminated intravascular coagulation was seen to occur during acute sarcocystosis. At 4 weeks after inoculations were done, there were prolongations of activated partial thromboplastin and 1-stage prothrombin times and decreased functional fibrinogen concentration, and thrombocytopenia, although increase of fibrinogen-fibrin degradation products were not demonstrable. These findings indicate that endothelial parasitism by schizonts of S cruzi may cause endothelial damage, resulting in coagulation abnormalities that include disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1980

Experimentally induced bovine sarcocystosis: correlation of in vitro lymphocyte function with structural changes in lymphoid tissue.

The effect of acute bovine sarcocystosis was studied by correlating in vitro lymphocyte blast transformation studies with morphologic and hematologic changes. Yearling calves inoculated with 900,000 sporocysts (large dose) had decreased responses to phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen and corresponding morphologic evidence of depletion of both T and B lymphocytes in all lymphoid organs examined during the first 4 weeks. The T-cell depletion was characterized by marked thymic atrophy. In lymph nodes denoting B-cell depletion, there were lymphoid follicular exhaustion and various degrees of follicular loss. Significant change in total circulating lymphocytes was not observed. All animals given this large dose died or were killed (in a moribund state) by 5 weeks after they were inoculated. Changes in mitogen responsiveness were not significant during the 4 weeks after yearling calves were inoculated with 90,000 sporocysts (small dose). The mitogenic effect of phytohemagglutinin was significantly greater than that of the control group during weeks 4 to 18. During this period, morphologic evidence of thymic cortical regeneration occurred. The results indicate that acute sarcocystosis is accompanied by a lymphoid abnormality which could result in immunosuppression, adding to the severity of natural infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Necrotic encephalitis as a manifestation of acute sarcocystosis in cattle.

Extensive brain pathology attributed to Sarcocystis is described in a heifer and a 2- to 4-month-old calf. These appear to be the first recorded cases of naturally occurring acute sarcocystosis in cattle in sub-Saharan Africa. The heifer became recumbent and had convulsions before dying, while clinical signs in the calf included loss of body mass, diarrhoea, nervousness and opisthotonus. Disseminated haemorrhages were noted in the brains of both animals at necropsy. Microscopically, the grey and white matter contained multiple areas of necrosis associated with haemorrhage, fibrinoid vasculitis, perivascular cuffing and gliosis. A multifocal meningitis was also present. First-generation Sarcocystis schizonts were evident in, or adjacent to endothelial cells of several arterioles and small arteries. The association of first- (as opposed to second-) generation schizogony with overt and fatal bovine sarcocystosis, has not previously been reported.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Eosinophilic myositis resulting from sarcocystosis.

Muscle sarcocystosis is a parasitic infection acquired by ingestion of sporocysts of Sarcocystis species. A case is described where symptoms of fever, chronic myositis and eosinophilia were present. Diagnosis was made via muscle biopsy. Improvement and cure coincided with treatment with cotrimoxazole. A limited review of human muscle sarcocystosis and an outline of the gaps in the knowledge of this infection is presented.

Adult↗