Study on species of Sarcocystis infection in slaughtered cattle and sheep in Saqez slaughterhouse, Iran

Sarcocystis infection is one of the most common zoonotic protozoon diseases caused by different Sarcocystis spp. Due to the importance of this infection in public health, the infection rate of Sarcocystis infectionand its species in slaughtered sheep and cattle of abattoir of Saqez, was investigated. Total of 280 slaughtered sheep and cattle were selected randomly, and their esophagus, diaphragm, heart, tongue, masseter, and intercostal muscles were separated. To find cysts, the samples were examined by two methods direct observation for macroscopic cysts and finding microscopics cysts by digestion and impression smear (DOB smear) methods. Of the 140 inspected cows, 37 (26.42%) and 27 (19.28%) carcasses were contaminated with bradyzoite of parasite, respectively, by impression smear and peptic digestion method. In 140 slaughtered sheep samples, there was 11 (7.85%) macroscopic cyst in samples but microscopic cysts were positive in 32(22.58) and 23(16.42) of sheep respectively, by impression smear and peptic digestion method. In morphologic survey, 9 (81.81%) cases were infected with Sarcocystis gigantea and 2 (18.18%) cases was infected with S. medusiformis. The results showed infections in males were more than females in both sheep and cattle(P<0.05). There was a significant different in various ages of studied cattle and sheep(P<0.05).The infection rate was higher in sheep older than 3 years old and in cows older than 2 years old. This study showed the heavy sarcocystis infection in meat of cattle and sheep of this region,so, Due to importance of this parasite in public health, it is suggested to avoid eating raw and undercooked meat and conduct preventive measures such as closer inspection of carcasses and local or total removal of slaughtered in abattoir.