Evaluation of Sarcocyst Parasite Strains in Carcasses Obtained from Ardabil Meat Industrial Group

Sarcocystosis is a common protozoan infection in humans and animals which is caused by various species of Sarcocystis. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate strains of Sarcocystis parasites in carcass of ۲۵۰ cattle and ۲۵۰ sheep slaughtered in the Ardabil Meat Industrial Group. Carcasses were compared by macroscopic and digestion techniques, staining and non-staining tissue smear and molecular PCR-RFLP. The organs examined were diaphragm, intervertebral muscles, esophagus, heart and tongue. The results were analyzed using Chi-square test. Out of ۲۵۰ cattle and sheep examined, ۲۸ and ۱۲۴ cases had macroscopic cysts and ۱۶۲ and ۲۱۱ cases had microscopic cysts, respectively. Of ۲۸ cases of macroscopic cysts in cattle, ۲۱ cases of S. hominis and ۷ cases of S. hirsuta were diagnosed. In ۱۰۰% (۱۶۲) of bovine specimens containing microscopic cysts, S. cruzi was diagnosed. In ۱۰۰% of sheep samples containing macroscopic cysts, S. gigantea was diagnosed. In ۲۱۱ sheep samples containing microscopic cysts, ۱۵۶ cases of S. arieticanis and ۵۵ cases of S. tenella were diagnosed. We concluded that the studied meat of the Ardebil Meat Industrial Group is highly infected with Sarcocystis parasite. Due to the health importance and infection rate of this parasite, it is recommended to avoid consumption of half-cooked and grilled meat from cattle and sheep.