Dataset Information

First Molecular Identification of Sarcocystis ovicanis (Protozoa, Apicomplexa) in the Brain of Sheep in Iran.

ABSTRACT: 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 slaughtered sheep in slaughterhouses of North Khorasan Province. Tissue digestion method was used for observing bradyzoites in tissues. Histopathological processing tracing Sarcocystis and ensuing structural change in the brain tissue were conducted. PCR analysis was conducted on all the brain samples. Sequencing was done for one PCR product. Genotype was identified by Blast search and homology analysis. RESULT:Sarcocystis spp. was found in one of the brain samples (1.25%) using tissue digestion method. The presence of bradyzoite was also confirmed in the prepared histopathological sections. PCR analysis was positive in one of samples. Genotyping of one sample proved that Sarcocystis species was Sarcocystis ovicanis and the nucleotide sequence of this parasite was deposited in the GenBank database under accession number No.KF489431. CONCLUSION:Sarcocystis ovicanis can involve brain tissue of sheep and consequently causes clinical symptoms.

SUBMITTER: Salehi M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4386052 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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First Molecular Identification of Sarcocystis ovicanis (Protozoa, Apicomplexa) in the Brain of Sheep in Iran.

Salehi Mitra M Bahari Pejman P Vatanchian Mehran M

Iranian journal of parasitology 20140401 2

<h4>Background</h4>The objective of the present study was to survey the presence of Sarcocystis in sheep's brain in North Khorasan Province.<h4>Methods</h4>In general, 80 samples of sheep's brain were collected from slaughtered sheep in slaughterhouses of North Khorasan Province. Tissue digestion method was used for observing bradyzoites in tissues. Histopathological processing tracing Sarcocystis and ensuing structural change in the brain tissue were conducted. PCR analysis was conducted on all ...[more]

PMID: 25848398

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Project description:Background: Birds act as intermediate or definitive hosts of cyst-forming coccidia parasites of the genus Sarcocystis Lankester, 1882. However, the spectrum of species of Sarcocystis in birds and the role of the latter in the transmission of coccidia are still incomplete for many avian species, including the Tengmalm's owl Aegolius funereus (Linnaeus, 1758). During the research on Tengmalm's owls in Finland, some fledglings were found dead and subsequently parasitologically examined. Therefore, this study is focused on the morphological and molecular description of a Sarcocystis species found in the intestine of the Tengmalm's owl and its possible role as a definitive host. Methods: Eleven fledgling owls in the Kauhava region of west-central Finland were found dead and subsequently were submitted for necropsy and parasitologically examined through the flotation-centrifugation coprological technique for the presence of oocysts/sporocysts of the genus Sarcocystis by light microscopy. Wet mounts were used for the examination of muscle samples (breast, legs, and heart). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested-PCR were carried out using primers for 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS1 region, and CO1 genes. Results: All 11 examined owls were parasitized by numerous sporocysts and oocysts in the intestinal mucosa scrapings (prevalence, 100%). Sporulated oocysts and sporocysts measured 16.34-16.96 × 11.47-12.09 μm and 11.85-13.52 × 7.77-9.25 μm, respectively. The skeletal and heart muscles were negative for sarcocysts. Sarcocystis sp. ex Aegolius funereus (hereafter Sarcocystis sp. Af) is closely related to Sarcocystis strixi in the barred owl (Strix varia Barton, 1799) from the USA and Sarcocystis sp. isolate 5 in the European shrew (Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758) from the Czech Republic. Phylogenetic analysis allowed determining the relationship of the herein reported Sarcocystis sp. with its congeners. Conclusions: This work provided the first and most comprehensive record on Sarcocystis from owls obtained in Finland, thus highlighting the importance of molecular data in species identification.

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Dataset Information

First Molecular Identification of Sarcocystis ovicanis (Protozoa, Apicomplexa) in the Brain of Sheep in Iran.

Publications

First Molecular Identification of Sarcocystis ovicanis (Protozoa, Apicomplexa) in the Brain of Sheep in Iran.

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