Detection of Sarcocystis spp. cysts in muscles of backyard-reared farm animals.

• Main Authors: Saure, Katherine Gianne O., Sietereales, Maria Eleonor Joyce A.
• Format: Theses and Dissertations NonPeerReviewed
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: QH301 Biology; QL Zoology
• Online Access: http://thesis.dlsud.edu.ph/886/7/SaureSietereales%20...%20-%20SarcocystisSPP.pdf; http://thesis.dlsud.edu.ph/886/
• Institution: De La Salle University

The study was conducted to detect and compare the percentage frequency occurrence of microcyst count of Sarcocystis species in muscles of farm animals. The tongue, diaphragm, esophagus and heart were collected from freshly slaughtered backyard-reared cattle, goat and pig. The muscle samples were subjected to acid digestion technique using trypsine for microcyst counting. The highest percent frequency occurrence of microcyst count among animals were observed in goats and cattle with 16.93% each, followed by pigs (16.88%). Statistically, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) among the microcyst count in animals. In terms of organ samples, the highest percent frequency of occurrence of mirocyst count was found in the diaphragm (17.03%), followed by tongue (16.92%), esophagus (16.90%) and heart (16.79%). Statistically, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) among the microcyst count among organs. Potential variation of Sarcocystis species is suggestive based on the cyst size and its cyst wall. For goat, the potential Sarcocystis species is S. hircicanis in which the observed cyst size ranges from 80–450 x 40–250 μm and the cyst wall size ranges from 5–35 μm. For pig, the potential Sarcocystis species can either be S. meischeriana or S. suihominis in which the observed cyst size ranges from 65– 650 μm and the cyst wall size ranges from 3.75–12.5 μm. For cattle, the potential Sarcocystis species can either be S. hominis or S. levinei in which the observed cyst size ranges from 150-400 x 145-150 μm and the cyst wall size ranges from 10-11.25 μm. In conclusion, Sarcocystis spp. was detected in all animals studied. However, the distribution pattern of microcysts in different animals and different organs varies. All cysts detected were in proliferative phase. The proliferating Sarcocystis cysts found in the muscle samples were identified as potentially Sarcocystis species: S. hircicanis for goat, S. meischeriana and S. suihominis for pig, and S. hominis and S. levinei for cattle.