Sarcocystis infection in slaughtered cattle in Zango abattoir, Zaria, Nigeria
2013; Veterinary World; Volume: 6; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês
10.5455/vetworld.2013.346-349
ISSN2231-0916
AutoresIfeoma N. Obijiaku, Ikwe Ajog, J. U. Umoh, Idris A. Lawal, Bernard Ortwer Atu,
Tópico(s)Microbial infections and disease research
ResumoBackground: Sarcocystis infection is a parasitic zoonosis, which may cause acute and fatal clinical diseases in susceptible cattle.When raw or undercooked infected beef is consumed by man, it could result in intestinal sarcocystosis. Aim:This study aimed at determining the prevalence of Sarcocystis infection in slaughtered cattle in Zaria, Nigeria. Materials and Methods:A cross sectional study was conducted in which oesophagus and diaphragm samples were collected from 200 slaughtered cattle and analysed by pepsin-hydrochloric acid digestion and stained with Giemsa.Histological sections of tissues were prepared and stained with haematoxylin and eosin.Results: Eighty-five (42.5 %) were positive for Sarcocystis species.Sarcocysts ranged from 228.8 to 1215 µm in length and 46.93 to 114.40 µm in width.Sarcocysts were all microscopic in nature and 99.0 % had thin cyst wall (< 1 µm), while 4 % had thick cyst wall (3.61 to 7.22 µm).Sarcocystis cruzi and S. hominis were the identified species.Age, sex and breed were not determinants of the infection (p > 0.05).Seventy-five (88.2 %) and 56 (65.9 %) cattle had sarcocysts in the oesophagus and diaphragm respectively.There was a significant difference in the distribution of sarcocysts between the oesophagus and diaphragm (p < 0.05). Conclusion:This study has established in the study area the prevalence of Sarcocystis infection in cattle using tissue digestion method and histology.The identified species were of veterinary and public health importance.
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