Cyst-forming coccidia of the genus Sarcocystis (Alveolata: Apicomplexa: Coccidea) parasitize vertebrates worldwide. Data from the small subunit rRNA genes (SSU) and the D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA genes were used to reconstruct phylogeny for all species in the Sarcocystidae for which sequences are currently available. We have focused on the evolutionary history of species that circulate...

Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis spp, and Toxoplasma gondii are related coccidian parasites that can cause abortion and neonatal mortality in animals. In addition, T gondii and certain species of Sarcocystis are zoonotic. This article reviews information on the etiology, diagnosis, control, and prevention of these diseases.

A large number of Sarcocystis spp. infect birds as intermediate hosts, but pigeons are rarely affected. We identified a novel Sarcocystis sp. that causes lethal neurologic disease in domestic pigeons in Germany. Experimental infections indicated transmission by northern goshawks, and sequence analyses indicated transnational distribution. Worldwide spread is possible.

Macrocysts of the protozoan parasite Sarcocystis spp. occurred in 34 of 241 (14%) adult and 6 of 70 (8.6%) immature mottled ducks (Anas fulvigula) that were collected in southwestern Louisiana from 1987 to 1989. The prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. among immature ducks was higher than previously reported, possibly because of a longer exposure period. No differences in carcass composition variable...

Background: Sarcocystosis is one of the most distributed parasitic diseases over the world, caused by Sarcocystis spp. In this study, we assessed the effect of electron beam irradiation on the viability of Sarcocystis spp. in beef.  Methods: Experimental beef groups were irradiated by four different electron beam doses of 1, 2, 3, and 4 kGy, at intervals of 0 and 24 h after irradiation, then t...

Understanding the role of disease in population regulation is important to the conservation of wildlife. We evaluated the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii exposure and Sarcocystis spp. infection in 46 road-killed and accidentally trapper-killed fisher (Martes pennanti) carcasses collected and stored at -20 C by the Pennsylvania Game Commission from February 2002 to October 2008. Blood samples we...

Four valid species of Sarcocystis have been reported from the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): Sarcocystis fusiformis, Sarcocystis buffalonis, Sarcocystis levinei and Sarcocystis dubeyi. Here, we redescribe structure of S. fusiformis sarcocysts by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM). Twenty-one macroscopic sarcocysts from oesophagus of the water buffalo in Egypt were examin...

Bovine sarcocystosis is an economically important disease worldwide caused by the apicomplexan protozoan, Sarcocystis species. There are three main species of cattle Sarcocystis; S. cruzi (S. bovicanis), S. hirsuta (S. bovifelis) and S. hominis (S. bovihominis). The current study was conducted to identify Sarcocystis species infecting slaughtered cattle at Sharkia province, Egypt using light an...

a simple special protocol using semichon’s acetic carmine stain was applied for examination of muscles of some small mammals, naturally infected with sarcocystis spp. using this method, infected muscles fibers with sarcocystis could easily be differentiated from muscle tissues. this method can be applied for screening of infected muscles with sarcocystis cysts on large number of samples for epi...

background: the objective of the present study was to survey the presence of sarcocystis in sheep's brain in north khorasan province. methods: in general, 80 samples of sheep's brain were collected from slaugh-tered sheep in slaughterhouses of north khorasan province. tissue digestion method was used for observing bradyzoites in tissues. histopathological pro-cessing tracing sarcocystis and ens...