Sarcocystosis in slaughtered food animal

Research Abstract

Sarcocystosis in slaughtered food animal in some Egyptian abattoirs. F. A. KHALAFALLA¹, N. S. Abdel-Atty¹. and Hanan Korany² ¹Department of food hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University. ²General Organization of Veterinary Service, Dokki, Giza. Abstract: Sarcocystis species are pathogenic protozoa that infect wide range of domestic animals. The present study was carried out in slaughtered food animals of different abattoirs at Giza Governorate to determine the prevalence of sarcocyst (macrocyst and microcyst) in buffaloes, cattle, sheep and camel. A total of 800 slaughtered food animals (200 each of buffaloes, cattle, sheep and camel) were examined for the presence of sarcocysts by naked eye, impression technique, digestion technique and histopathological examination. The incidence of macroscopic cysts in aged buffaloes, cattle and sheep were 48.66 %, 33.66 % and 16 %,respectively, While microscopic cysts in those animals were 68.66 %, 46.33 % and 28.66 %, respectively. The macroscopic cysts in young buffaloes, cattle and sheep were 43.33 %, 23.66 % and 9.66 %,respectively, While microscopic cysts in those animals were 60%, 29.66 % and 19 % respectively. Neither macrocyst nor microcyst could be detected in slaughtered camel. The incidence of both macrocyst and microcyst were highest in the esophagus followed by diaphragmatic muscles then intercostal muscle mainly. Macroscopic cysts ranged in size from 1.4 to 20.0 mm × 2.0 to 7.0mm, with very thick cyst wall. This cyst was spindle or fusiform in shape and consisted of opaque bodies, milky white in colour, lying between muscle bundles parallel to the longitudinal axis of the muscle mass. In these organs, macrocysts were found either just beneath the serosal surface, as in esophagus, or deep in the muscular layer, as in diaphragm and intercostal muscle Humans also may be intermediate host, therefore will be in risk when eating raw or improperly cooked meat from infected animals. Resulting in intestinal sarcocystosis which potentially of public health importance

Research Keywords

Sarcocystis, Macrocyst, Microcyst