Studies on zoitocysts of sarcocystis in Buffaloes

Sarcocystis species were wide spread in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) throughout the world. Some species were pathogenic and had medical importance.In the present work 141 water buffaloes were examined for Sarcocystis infection at Zagazig abattoir. Four species of Sarcocystis were detected: S.buffalonis, S.fusiformis, S.levinei and S.dubeyi. percentages of infection in young ones were 34.38% S.levineInfection rate was 39 %, 4.26 % and 31.2 % in cases of microscopic cysts, macroscopic cysts and mixed infection {microscopic and macroscopic cysts} respectively.The present work reported for the first time infection of young/baby calves water buffaloes with S.buffalonis, S.levinei and S.dubeyi. This was due to Sarcocystis species could be transmitted vertically from the infected dam to foetus via placenta or throThe species of Sarcocystis involved in the present work identified microscopically as S.levinei and S.dubeyi and macroscopically as S.buffalonis and S.fusiformis. Identification of Sarcocystis species depended on morphological characters of the cysts and Macroscopic cyst of S.buffalonis morphologically had thick walled and appeared as white threads in between muscle bundles. Ultrastructurally, the cyst wall had palisaded like villar projections constricted at the base, expanded laterally in the mid regionMacroscopic cyst of S.fusiformis morphologically was fusiform, milky white and opaque bodies lying in between muscle bundles which were easily removed from the muscle mass. They appeared resembling cucumber seeds. Ultrastructurally, the cyst wall had a caS.levinei was microscopic cyst morphologically appeared as it had thin walled; spindle shaped and exhibited compartmentalized arrangement of zoites with septal partitions. Ultrastructurally, the cyst wall consisted of tightly packed conical V.P. Margin ofS.dubeyi microscopic cyst morphologically as it had thick walled spindle shaped and exhibited compartmentalized arrangement of zoites with septal partitions. Ultrastructurally, the cyst wall consisted of tightly packed villar protrusions. The V.P., arrangRegarding the final host and prepatent period of each Sarcocystis species, the results found that cats were the final hosts in case of S.buffalonis and S.fusiformis however dogs were the final hosts in case of S.levinei. Prepatent periods were on 15 days,Sarcocystis was a meat transmitted parasite, so to prevent infection of food animals; they should be prevented form ingesting sporocyst stage from dogs and cats feces in contaminated water, feed and bedding. When such preventative measures couldn’t be ass