Animal Health Research Institute,

Shalatin Regional lab.

Sarcocystis infection in sheep and goats slaughtered in Shalatin abattoir, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt

(With 7 Tables and 2 Plates)

By

O.M. MAHRAN

(Received at 2/3/2009)

ألإصابة بالسارکوسست في الأغنام والماعز المذبوحة بمجزر شلا تين

محافظة البحر الأحمر _ مصر

عثمان محمد مهران

تم جمع عينات نسيجية شملتَُ کلا من المرئ، الحجاب الحاجز، اللسان، القلب والعضلات بين الضلوع مِنْ  555 من الأغنام و371 من الماعزِ  ذبحت بالمجزر بمنطقةِ الدراسةَ وفحصت لاستبيان الإصابة بأنواع السارکوسست وذلک باستخدام الفحص المرئي وألمجهري. من هذا العدد، 229 (41.26%) في الأغنام و137 (36.92%) في الماعز کَانت إيجابية لحويصلات السارکوسست. ووجدت کلا من الحويصلات المرئية والمجهريه. کانت نسبة انتشار الحويصلات المرئية(7.54 % ، 9.9%) في الأغنام والماعز علي التوالي وتراوحت شدة الإصابة بها من 1– 35 حويصلة للذبيحة. وأسفر الفحص الظاهري علي التعرف علي نوع واحد من الحويصلات المرئية اعتمادا علي الاختلاف في حجم وجدار الحويصلة وتميزت بأنها حويصلة بيضاوية کبيرة ذات جدار سميک ويعرف هذا النوع بالسارکوسست جاجنتيا. أما الحويصلات المجهرية فقد وجدت في (81.8 و80,33%) في الأغنام والماعز على التوالي, تراوحت شدة الإصابة بهذه الحويصلات من 3  إلي 13 إلي  25 للعضلة. وتم التعرف علي نوعين من الحويصلات المرئية اعتمادا علي الاختلاف في شکل جدار الحويصلة وکانت حويصلات السارکوسست في الأغنام ذات جدار ناعم رقيق ووجت بنسبة   81.08 % ويتراوح طولها من 8 ، 34 إلي580 ميکرون وعرض الجدار1.6 الي 2،4 ميکرون ويعرف هذا النوع بالسارکوسست تينلا. أما الحويصلات في الماعز فکانت ذات جدار سميک ووجدت في %80.33 وکان طولها يتراوح من 92 إلي 680 ميکرون وعرض الجدار حوالي 3.2 إلي 3.7 ميکرون ويعرف هذا النوع  بالسارکوسست کابري کانز. کان معدل الإصابة بالسارکوسست أکثر شيوعا في المرئِ مقارنة بالأعضاء الأخرى في کلا النوعين, وکانت الإصابة اعلي في الأعمار الأکثر من سنة (47.96 ، 64.96%) عنها في الأعمار اقل من سنة (30.56 &25.20%). وکان معدل الإصابة اعلي في الإناث (54.86& 46.84%) عِنْ الذکورِ (37.78 & 32.69%). وأن معدل الإصابة اعلي في فصل الشتاء مقارنة بفصول السنة الاخري. هذه أول دراسة تسلط الضوء علي أنواع السارکوسست في هذه المنطقة النائية. وان الإصابة بالسارکوسست شائعة في الخراف والماعز بمنطقة شلاتين. وبما أن الخراف والماعز يلعبانِ دوراً مهماً في اقتصاد هذه المنطقةِ الصحراوية، فان تأثير العدوى بالسارکوسست في هذا النوع من الحيواناتِ يَحتاجُ إلي المزيد من الاهتمامَ. وأيضا وأوضحت هذه الدراسة أن هناک عوامل مثل العمر والجنس ونوع الحيوان وکذلک الأعضاء ساهمت بوضوح في معدل الإصابة.

Summary                                                                                                                                      

Tissue samples comprising the oesophagus, diaphragm, tongue, heart and intercostal muscles were collected from 555 sheep and 371 goats slaughtered at the abattoirs in the study area. and examined for infections with Sarcocystis spp. using macroscopic and microscopic methods of detection. Out of this number, 229 (41.26%) were positive for Sarcocystis cysts in sheep and 137(36.92%) in Goats. Macroscopic and microscopic sarcocysts were seen. Macroscopic cysts were found in (9.9% & 7.54%) of the sheep and goats respectively, ranging in intensity from 1 to 35 cysts per carcass. Morphometric studies detected one type of macroscopic cysts which differed in their size and cyst wall morphology. Large ovoid cysts have thick primary cyst walls were identified as S. gigantea (syn. S. ovifelis). In comparison, microscopic cysts were detected in (81.8% to %80.33%) in sheep and goats respectively. Calculations of the intensities of infection ranged from 3 to 13 to 25 cysts per unit volume of muscle. Sarcocysts in sheep have smooth thin walls, measured 34.8 to 580 µ lengthwise and the cyst-wall 1.6- 2.4 µ They were identified to be Sarcocystis tenella (S. ovicanis). The cysts in goats measured 92 to 680 µ and the cyst – wall 2.3 - 3.7µ. They were identified as Sarcocystis capracanis. In both animal species, the sarcocysts were more frequent in the oesophagus compared to the other organs. Animals more than a year old were infested more frequently (46.96 & 47.96%) than those younger than a year old (30.56 & 25.20%). The females had a higher rate of infestation (54.86 & 46.84%) than males (37.78 & 32.69%). Infection reached peak in winter season compared to other seasons. This is the first study to throw light upon Sarcocystis species of sheep and goats in this area. Sarcocystis infection was shown to be common in sheep and goats in Shalatin area. Since the sheep and goats play an important role in the economy of this desert area. The impact of Sarcocystis infection in these animal species needs further attention. Also, this study shows that factors such as age, gender, animal type and involved organ contribute to the frequency infestations.                                                                                                                                                                                         

Key words: Sarcocystis sheep, goats at Shalatin

Introduction

Sarcocystis infections of animals are commonplace and of worldwide distribution. Some species can be severely pathogenic to farm animals, causing anorexia, weight-loss, abortion and even death. But perhaps because sarcocysts are so common they have frequently been regarded as innocuous. Many cases of abortion in farm animals go undiagnosed, and it is only now that Sarcocystosisis being implicated as potentially of economic importance to the farm industry (Dubey et al., 1988). In many cases however, the major effect is likely to be subclincal, seen in farm animals only as a reduction in live weight gain (Herbert and Smith, 1987). Sarcocystosis is a zoontic disease in domestic animals caused by Sarcocystis spp., a cyst-forming coccidian parasite with obligatory two-host life cycle involving carnivorous as definitive hosts and herbivorous or omnivorous as intermediate hosts. Each intermediate and definitive host may harbor more than one Sarcocystis species (Dubey et al., 1989). Some species of Sarcocystis can cause a reduced weight gain, poor feeding efficiency, anorexia, fever, anemia, muscle weakness, reduced milk yield, abortion, and death of intermediate hosts such as cattle, sheep and goats. Anemia, anorexia, ataxia, and abortions are the chief clinical signs of acute ovine sarcocystosis (Dubey, 1976). Certain species can infect humans and can cause digestive disturbances such as nausea vomiting, and diarrhea (Rommel, 1989). Recent studies, however, have shown that muscular Sarcocystosisis a bigger problem than previously thought. (Dubey et al., 1989). Sarcocystis is found mainly in striated muscles where it causes myositis, degenerative changes, atrophy and death in their hosts (Levine, 1986). (Harness et al., 1999) mentioned that infection of the intermediate host causes a loss of appetite, fever, weight loss, anemia, and death in severe infections. It also causes gait abnormalities, weakening of the limbs, muscle wasting, and head tilt. The animal may also move in circles. The number of clinical signs that appear is proportional to the number of Sarcocystis organisms parasitizing the host (Dubey et al., 1988). Humans might become accidental intermediate hosts for a number of species of Sarcocystis (S. bovihominis and S. suilhominis) and the infection is acquired in human by eating insufficiently cooked meat. This work presents the results of the first study on the prevalence of Sarcocystis infection in this remote area in sheep and goats, identify the species and describe the morphological characters, besides the influence of age, gender and seasons on the infection rate of Sarcocystis was also studied.

Materials and methods

Animals

During December 2007 to November 2008 a total of 926 animals comprised of 555 sheep and 371 goats belonging to both gender and different ages slaughtered at Shalatin abattoir were investigated for the presence of Sarcocystis in muscular tissues. Age and gender of the Investigated animals were assessed by visual inspection of teeth, horns, and sexual organs.

Samples:

The oesophagus, diaphragm, tongue, heart and intercostal muscles were chosen for inspection and collection of samples, immediately after the animals were slaughtered, the freshy tissues were labeled separately, put in ice box, brought to the laboratory and were kept at 4ºC until further examination.

Macroscopical examination: each sample was examined by naked eye for detection of macroscopic cysts. Oesophagus was thoroughly washed in running tap water to expel the ingesta present in the lumen. The superficial, fat and connective tissue were removed. Each oesophagus was thoroughly searched for the presence of (Macro cysts) in the musculature. Special effort was made to detect the small-sized sarcocysts that might have been embedded deeply in the tissue by ballooning out the oesophagus by filling it with water and then examining against a strong light (Saleque et al., 1992).                                                                                                                   

Microscopical examination: the samples found negative on gross examination were examined microscopically by 1- crush technique: About 2 g of tissue was cut into small pieces, approximately 3–5mm thick, and crushed firmly between two glass slides and examined under the microscope (40 x)  (Mohanty et al., 1995). For detection of liberated trophozoites: homogenization of muscle samples was done with physiological saline (Ali, 1985). The intensity of infection in muscles from different parts of individual animals was recorded as number of microcysts present in 2g of muscles examined. The intensity of infection was considered as light (+), moderate (++) and heavy (+++) depending upon the presence of 1-10 cysts, 11-20 cysts and 20 or more cysts per 2g of muscles respectively (Dayashank and Bhatia, 1993).                                                       

Histomorphlogical examination: muscular samples sized approximately 15 mm x 10mm with or without macroscopically visible sarcocysts were cut from each of the muscular tissues mentioned. The samples were fixed in neutral buffered 10% formalin, processed by standard histological techniques, sectioned at 5 mm, stained by haematoxylin and eosin, and examined by light microscopy for the presence of sarcocysts, (Bancroft and Stevens, 1993). The differentiation between the microscopic species was based on the morphological criteria described by (Levine, 1985) and (Dubey et al., 1989)                                                                                                           

Results

Combination of ocular and histological examination revealed that 229 (41.26%) of 555 sheep and 137 (36.92%) of 371 goats had sarcocysts of at least one species described in sheep and goats (Tables 1 & 2). The prevalence of macroscopic and microscopic sarcocysts in slaughtered sheep and goats, is shown in table (2). Macroscopic cysts were found in (9.9% to 7.54%) of sheep and goats respectively. Morphometric studies detected one type of macroscopic cysts which differed in their size and cyst wall morphology. Cysts appeared as large ovoid cysts with thick primary cyst walls, milky-white colored embedded in the muscular tissues and their length ranged from 4 to 6 mm, ranging in intensity from 1 to 35 cysts per carcass. They were identified as S. gigantea (syn. S. ovifelis) plates 1 (1&2). Microscopic cysts were detected in 81. 8% to 80.33% in sheep and goats respectively. Calculations of the intensities of infection ranged from 3 to 13 to, 25 cysts per unit volume of muscle. Two types of microscopic cysts were also identified on the basis of their cyst wall morphology. Cysts having smooth thin walls were detected in 81. 8% of the sheep measured 34.8 to 580 µ lengthwise and the cyst-wall 1.6- 2.4 µ, appeared to conform to the original descriptions of S. tenella (S. ovicanis) plate 2 (3&4), whereas cysts, with radially-striated thick walls were found in 80.33% of the goats measured 92 to 680 µ and the cyst – wall 2.3 - 2.7 µ appeared to conform to the original descriptions S. capracanis plate 2 (5). Concerning the prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. in different muscular tissues and Intensity of infection amongst positive cases  in  sheep and goats, oesophagus showed the highest rate  (71.17 & 67.38) and heart the lowest (38.7% & 41.23%) in sheep and goats respectively. (tables 3&4). In both males and females animals the prevalence of Sarcocystis infection increased with age (Tables 5&6). Overall, the prevalence of infection was lowest in animals below a year old (30.56 & 25.20) and highest in animals more than a year old (46.96 & 47.96%) in sheep and goats respectively. The female animals had a higher rate of infestation than males (37.78%-54.86%) and (32.69%-46.84%) in sheep and goats respectively (Tables 5&6). The seasonal prevalence of sarcocysts in sheep and goats examined in the present study has been shown in (table 7). It's evident from the tables that the infection was prevalent throughout the year under study with the highest rate in winter season and lowest in summer seasons.                                                         

Morphological studies:                                                                                                                   

Macroscopic cyst: Cysts were found in (9.9% to 7.54%) of the sheep and goats respectively, ranging in intensity from 1 to 35 cysts per carcass. cysts found as ovoid cysts resemble, grains of rice with thick primary cyst walls as grayish to whitish streaks, in color 4-6 mm in length, running lengthwise with the muscle fibers. They were identified as S. gigantea (syn. S. ovifelis). A mature cyst, 350 μ in length, up to 0.5 mm long and a secondary cyst wall was present plate(1).

Microscopic cysts:                                                                                                                  

In sheep: Cystswere detected in (81. 8%) of sheep as cylindrical or fusiform, with tapering ends,. They consist of a delimiting membrane from which trabeculae pass inwards, and are filled with spores. The spores are more mature towards the center of the cysts. The sarcocysts measured 34.8 to 580 μ lengthwise and with smooth thin cyst walls measuring1.6- 2.4 μ. The cystozoites in mature sarcocystis, were banana shaped and measured 13.0-15.0 um by 3.6-6.0 um in size. Such cysts were described as S. tenella (S. ovicanis) plate 2 (3&4). 

In goats: Cysts were detected in (80.33%). Sarcocysts showed thick wall with radial striations and finger like projections, mostly elongate,  slender or spindle shaped with one or both ends tapering. The cysts in goats measured 92 to 680 μ and the cyst-wall was thick measuring 2.3- 2.7 μ. Oval metrocytes were seen measuring 7.3-11.2 µm×4.3-7.0 µm. Bradyzoites were banana shaped and measured 8-12.3 µm septa were seen dividing the sarcocyst  cavity into a number of compartments  such cyst was described as S. capracanis  plate 2 (5).

Table 1: Prevalence of Sarcocystis infection in sheep and goats  examined 4.

Table 2: Prevalence of macroscopic cysts in sheep and goats according to organs examined    

Table 3: Prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. in different muscular tissues of sheep (n = 555) and Intensity of infection                                                                     amongst positive cases                

Table 4: Prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. in different muscular tissues of goats (n = 371) and Intensity of infection                                 amongst cases positive.                         

Table 5:  Distribution of sheep infected with S. tenella according to age and gender at Shalatin area.

Table 6: Distribution of goats infected with S. capracanis according to age and gender at Shalatin area.

Table 7: Seasonal variation of Sarcocystis infections in sheep and goats                                                

Plate 1: Morphological characters of visible sarcocysts                                                                                                                                                        

              1- Grossly visible sarcocysts the oesophagus muscle of sheep.

              2- Grossly visible sarcocysts in heart muscle of goats                                                                      

Plate 2: Morphological character and structure of Sarcocystis tenella and          S. capracanis         

3- Microphotograph of sarcocysts of Sarcocystis tenella from muscles of sheep (H&E × 10).

4- Microphotograph of sarcocysts of Sarcocystis tenella from muscles of sheep showing smooth cyst thin walls and spores are more mature towards the center of the cysts. (H&E × 40).      

5- Microphotograph of sarcocysts of Sarcocystis caparacanis from muscles of goats showing septa and thick cyst wall (H&E × 1000).                                                    

Discussion

The current study revealed that (41.26%) and (36.92%) out of 555 sheep and 371 goats carcasses screened carried Sarcocystis infection respectively, this is compatible with the report of (Saha and Ghosh,1992) and (Abo- Shehada, 1996) in Jordan. Our results was lower than that recorded by Dubey et al. (1989) in United States, Latif et al. (1999) in Iraq and Nedjari (2003) in Algeria who reported that the rate of infection was (91.6%), (100%), (97-97.4%) and (64%) in sheep and goats respectively. The difference in prevalence rate of sarcocysts might be due to different factors like discontinuation of life cycle, management condition, living of stray dogs and cats with livestock and habits of definitive and intermediate hosts (Masoud et al., 2007). In the present study macro-sarcocysts and micro- sarcocysts were encountered in sheep and goats, agreeing with Abo-Shehada (1996) in Jordan, Latif et al. (1999) and Barham et al. (2005) in Iraq, Al- Hoot et al. (2005) in Saudi Arabia and Daryani et al. (2006) in Iran. disagreeing with the finding of Pethkar and Shah (1983), Hussein and Warraq (1985), Kudi et al. (1991) and Mohanty et al. (1995), who reported micros-sarcocysts only. The high prevalence rate of microscopic sarcocysts (81.08% & 80.32%) in sheep and goats indicates the importance of the infection for the intermediate host. Fayer and Dubey (1986) reported that the rate of infection with micro-sarcocysts reached 100% in sheep in the United States and Ginawi and Shommein (1977) in Sudan reported (91.6%) in goats. The low frequency of macroscopic sarcocysts (9.9 & 7.54%) in the present study, compared with the prevalence of microscopic sarcocysts (81.08% & 80.32%) may be due to the fact that such cysts are of feline origin and the contact between farm animals and cats is rare as the farmers do not keep cats Latif et al. (1999) in Iraq and Al-Hoot et al. (2005) in Saudi Arabia reported low incidence of macroscopic cysts compared with microscopic cysts was between (0-33.6%) in Iraq and    (8 to 18%) and (73 to 85%) in Saudia Arabia. Two types of micro-sarcocysts were differentiated on the basis of their morphology Sarcocystis tenella in sheep and S. capracanis in goats. S. tenella is thought to be the most pathogenic of the Sarcocystis species in sheep. It can cause anorexia, fever, decreased weight gain, anemia and death in experimentally infected lambs, and has been associated with abortions in ewes. Neurologic signs including encephalomyelitis, muscle weakness, hind limb paresis and ataxia have been seen in naturally infected sheep. After recovery from the acute illness, some sheep may lose their wool. Acute deaths can also occur without other symptoms (Fayer and Dubey, 1986). Macroscopic sarcocysts of S. gigantea were also found in sheep and goats. This is compatible with the report of Dubey et al. (1989), Abo-Shehada (1996) in Jordan, Latif et al. (1999) and Barham et al. (2005) in Iraq and Al- Hoot et al. (2005) in Saudi Arabia. The morphology of Sarcocystis species in the present study, was comparable to the description given by Munday and Obendorf (1984), Odonoghue and Ford (1986), Dayashank and Bhatia (1993) and Dubey et al. (1988). Concerning the prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. in different muscular tissues and intensity of infection amongst positive cases in sheep and goats tables (3 & 4) revealed that maximum sarcocysts were found in the muscles of oesophagus in sheep and goats. Saha and Ghosh (1992), Huong and Uggla (1999), Latif et al. (1999) and Jumde et al. (2000) made similar observation. Oesophagus musculature appeared as more favorable site of Sarcocystis infection Fayer and Dubey (1986). The severity of clinical signs that appear is proportional to the number of Sarcocystis cysts parasitizing the host (Dubey et al., 1989). Our study revealed a heavy intensity of Sarcocystis species in the muscles of oesophagus followed by those in diaphragm, tongue, intercostal muscles and heart. Fewer reports on this aspect were recorded by Shastri (1990) who counted (67) cysts in 20g of a muscle piece of diaphragm and Dayashank and Bhatia (1993) recorded highest number of cysts in 2g of a muscles pieces of oesophagus and diaphragm. In the present study, there was a seasonal variation in percentage of positive cases reaching the peak in winter and lowest in Summer. The high incidence in winter may be due to the high humidity and easy dissemination of sporocysts shed by definitive host. Humidity is favorable for the spread and survival of sporocysts and there are more chances of contamination of food and water (Masoud et al., 2007). The low prevalence of positive cases in Summer seasons may be attributed mainly to the high temperature and reduced humidity preventing the dissemination of sporocysts by drying the feaces (Mohanty et al., 1995). These results agree with the results of Pethkar and Shah, (1983) and Singip et al. (1992) who recorded that the highest rate of positive cases was found in Winter and lowest in Summer, disagreeing with the finding of Talari et al. (2003) who reported that seasons of the year have no influence on the percentage of infection. The season –wise incidence of sarcocystis varied from place to place as it mainly depended upon the geoclimatic condition of the region and close proximity between definitive host and intermediate host (Singip et al., 1992). The incidence of infection was found to increase with age. The overall prevalence of Sarcocystis was the lowest  in animals below a year old and highest in above a year old, thereby indicating a positive correlation between the prevalence rate and age of animals, which may be explained by the fact that  the adults pick up over a long period and more exposure to infective grazing field (Mohanty et al., 1995) whereas the younger animals remain mostly confined to the shed and thus do not get more chances to pick up infection, also younger animals usually are not sent for grazing they may remain with their mother and are sometimes stall-feed up to 2 months of age. Biswas et al. (1990), Mohanty et al. (1995) and Abo-Shehada (1996), observed that higher incidence of infection was recorded in older animals and lower prevalence in younger animals. Observation on the variation due to gender on prevalence of sarcocysts infection in sheep and goats indicated that the incidence was comparatively higher in females than in males, which correlates with the observation of Rommel (1985) and Mohanty et al. (1995).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

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