Studies on Sarcocysts Infecting Buffaloes In Egypt

Water buffaloes in Egypt werinvestigated for sarcocystsrlection. Meat samples fromtheoesophagus, diaphragm and heart of WO and 300 buffaloes 2 and over 5 years old re~pectively werevestigated. Macroscopic fusiformi~ cysts and microscopiclarcocystisspecies cysts were r-e por-b ed , The incidence of mfection with both species in both groups was 9j.0% and 97.7%respecti vely. ,2o!.usiformis infect of 2 and over 5 years old. ater buffaloes at a rate of 31.5% and 90.8%. Trichinoscope md trypsin digestion techniques were used for the determining he incidence of the microscopic Sarcocystis species cysts.he use of tmchinoscope showed that 91.5% (2 years) and 87.3%over 5 years) old were infected whereas 94% and 97.7% were recorded by the use of trypsin digestion teehnique. Experimenta.l mfection of cats and dogs showed that the eats act as finalost for the macroscopic .§.fusiformis cyst with prepatent ~eriod 9-11 -days and paten-t period 7-30 days. The sporocysts asured l3X9 urn. The dogs act as final host for the micro-copic species cysts. Therefore, these nrl:croscopic cysts ere identified as S.levinei. This was the 1st report ins~Y’pt on the detection of .§.levinei in water buffaloes.