Prevalence and molecular studies on sarcocystis species in cattle and water buffaloes
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Date
2014
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Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana
Abstract
The current study was carried out to screen prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. infecting cattle and water buffaloes using conventional as well as molecular techniques. A total of 321 muscle samples were collected and examined by using rapid isolation of intact micro-Sarcocystis cysts, pepsin digestion technique, followed by routine PCR. The Sarcocystis spp. were found in 136 (42.36%), 184 (57.82%) and 210 (65.42%) samples, respectively. Histopathologically, both thick and thin walled cysts were seen in tissues of water buffaloes whereas only thin walled sarcocysts were seen in cattle. Phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rRNA gene of 19 sarcocysts sequences revealed the presence of S. cruzi and S. cruzi like taxon in most of the samples. One isolate from buffalo showed varied homology with S. sinensis, S. cruzi, S. hominis, S. fusiformis and S. buffalonis. The presence of thick walled cysts indicated that it could be S. dubeyii which has been previously reported from India. One isolate from cattle showed much homology with S. sinensis or may be different Sarcocystis species. Furthermore RT-PCR and melt curve analysis of S. cruzi / S. cruzi like taxon revealed an average Tm of 83 having a range of 82.8 to 83.5. The melting temperature of the 2 samples other than Sarcocystis cruzi / Sarcocystis cruzi like taxon was found to vary between 82.8 to 83. The result indicated that bovine sarcocystosis could be an important public health risk and transmission studies must be carried out to evaluate the role of human/ non human primates (as definitive host) in the life cycle of this parasite