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Revision of Sarcocystis orientalis Zaman and Colley, 1975

Zaman V

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1975 Dec;6(4):603.
PMID: 818718
Matched MeSH terms: Sarcocystis/classification*
Fulltext Genetic assemblage of Sarcocystis spp. in Malaysian snakes

Lau YL, Chang PY, Subramaniam V, Ng YH, Mahmud R, Ahmad AF, et al.

Parasit Vectors, 2013 Sep 09;6(1):257.
PMID: 24010903 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-257

BACKGROUND: Sarcocystis species are protozoan parasites with a wide host range including snakes. Although there were several reports of Sarcocytis species in snakes, their distribution and prevalence are still not fully explored.
METHODS: In this study, fecal specimens of several snake species in Malaysia were examined for the presence of Sarcocystis by PCR of 18S rDNA sequence. Microscopy examination of the fecal specimens for sporocysts was not carried as it was difficult to determine the species of the infecting Sarcocystis.
RESULTS: Of the 28 snake fecal specimens, 7 were positive by PCR. BLASTn and phylogenetic analyses of the amplified 18S rDNA sequences revealed the snakes were infected with either S. nesbitti, S. singaporensis, S. zuoi or undefined Sarcocystis species.
CONCLUSION: This study is the first to report Sarcocystis infection in a cobra, and S. nesbitti in a reticulated python.

Matched MeSH terms: Sarcocystis/classification*
Sarcocystis levinei infection in Philippine water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Claveria FG, Cruz MJ

Parasitol Int, 2000 Jan;48(3):243-7.
PMID: 11227764

Ultrastructural studies of sarcocysts obtained from Philippine water buffaloes revealed the presence of the commonly reported macroscopic species, Sarcocystis fusiformis, and the microscopic species Sarcocystis levinei (Dissanaike A, Kan S. Studies on Sarcocystis in Malaysia. I: Sarcocystis levinei n.sp. from the water buffalo Bubalus bubalis. Z Parasitenkd 1978;55:127-38), (Huong L, Dubey J, Uggla A. Redescription of Sarcocystis levinei Dissanaike and Kan, 1978 (Protozoa: Sarcocystidae) of the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). J Parasitol 1997;83:1148-52). The globular to oval microscopic cysts commonly observed in the muscles of the diaphragm and neck exhibit compartmentalized arrangement of zoites with septal partitions and measure 13-48 microns in diameter. The parasitophorous vacuolar membrane of sarcocyst bears minute and hair-like villar protrusions measuring 2.3-2.75 microns long emanating at certain distances from the primary cyst wall and lack microfilaments. Villar protrusions have expanded to dome-shaped base measuring 0.33-1.6 microns long by 0.22-1.0 micron wide, and intermediate and tapering distal segments bent approximately 90 degrees and run parallel to the cyst surface. The distal segments at some areas join to form conical tufts. The primary cyst wall bears numerous prominent undulations that are arranged in small clusters. The ground substance is 0.42-0.57 micron thick. This paper documents the first report of S. levinei in Philippine water buffaloes possessing the type 7 cyst wall.

Matched MeSH terms: Sarcocystis/classification
Fulltext Review of sarcocystosis in Malaysia

Kan SP, Pathmanathan R

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1991 Dec;22 Suppl:129-34.
PMID: 1822870

Sarcocystis is a tissue coccidian with an obligatory two-host life cycle. The sexual generations of gametogony and sporogony occur in the lamina propria of the small intestine of definitive hosts which shed infective sporocysts in their stools and present with intestinal sarcocystosis. Asexual multiplication occurs in the skeletal and cardiac muscles of intermediate hosts which harbor Sarcocystis cysts in their muscles and present with muscular sarcocystosis. In Malaysia, Sarcocystis cysts have been reported from many domestic and wild animals, including domestic and field rats, moonrats, bandicoots, slow loris, buffalo, and monkey, and man. The known definitive hosts for some species of Sarcocystis are the domestic cat, dog and the reticulated python. Human muscular sarcocystosis in Malaysia is a zoonotic infection acquired by contamination of food or drink with sporocysts shed by definitive hosts. The cysts reported in human muscle resembled those seen in the moonrat, Echinosorex gymnurus, and the long-tailed monkey, Macaca fascicularis. While human intestinal sarcocystosis has not been reported in Malaysia so far, it can be assumed that such cases may not be infrequent in view of the occurrence of Sarcocystis cysts in meat animals, such as buffalo. The overall seroprevalence of 19.8% reported among the main racial groups in Malaysia indicates that sarcocystosis (both the intestinal and muscular forms) may be emerging as a significant food-borne zoonotic infection in the country.

Matched MeSH terms: Sarcocystis/classification
Fulltext Examination of Sarcocystis spp. of giant snakes from Australia and Southeast Asia confirms presence of a known pathogen - Sarcocystis nesbitti

Wassermann M, Raisch L, Lyons JA, Natusch DJD, Richter S, Wirth M, et al.

PLoS One, 2017;12(11):e0187984.
PMID: 29131856 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187984

We examined Sarcocystis spp. in giant snakes from the Indo-Australian Archipelago and Australia using a combination of morphological (size of sporocyst) and molecular analyses. We amplified by PCR nuclear 18S rDNA from single sporocysts in order to detect mixed infections and unequivocally assign the retrieved sequences to the corresponding parasite stage. Sarcocystis infection was generally high across the study area, with 78 (68%) of 115 examined pythons being infected by one or more Sarcocystis spp. Among 18 randomly chosen, sporocyst-positive samples (11 from Southeast Asia, 7 from Northern Australia) the only Sarcocystis species detected in Southeast Asian snakes was S. singaporensis (in reticulated pythons), which was absent from all Australian samples. We distinguished three different Sarcocystis spp. in the Australian sample set; two were excreted by scrub pythons and one by the spotted python. The sequence of the latter is an undescribed species phylogenetically related to S. lacertae. Of the two Sarcocystis species found in scrub pythons, one showed an 18S rRNA gene sequence similar to S. zamani, which is described from Australia for the first time. The second sequence was identical/similar to that of S. nesbitti, a known human pathogen that was held responsible for outbreaks of disease among tourists in Malaysia. The potential presence of S. nesbitti in Australia challenges the current hypothesis of a snake-primate life cycle, and would have implications for human health in the region. Further molecular and biological characterizations are required to confirm species identity and determine whether or not the Australian isolate has the same zoonotic potential as its Malaysian counterpart. Finally, the absence of S. nesbitti in samples from reticulated pythons (which were reported to be definitive hosts), coupled with our phylogenetic analyses, suggest that alternative snake hosts may be responsible for transmitting this parasite in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Sarcocystis/classification
Fulltext Outbreak of human infection with Sarcocystis nesbitti, Malaysia, 2012

Abubakar S, Teoh BT, Sam SS, Chang LY, Johari J, Hooi PS, et al.

Emerg Infect Dis, 2013 Dec;19(12):1989-91.
PMID: 24274071 DOI: 10.3201/eid1912.120530

An outbreak of fever associated with myalgia and myositis occurred in 2012 among 89 of 92 college students and teachers who visited Pangkor Island, Malaysia. The Sarcocystis nesbitti 18S rRNA gene and sarcocysts were obtained from muscle tissues of 2 students. Our findings indicate emergence of S. nesbitti infections in humans in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Sarcocystis/classification*
Fulltext Detection of sarcocystosis in goats in Malaysia by light microscopy, histology, and PCR

Kutty MK, Latif B, Muslim A, Hussaini J, Daher AM, Heo CC, et al.

Trop Anim Health Prod, 2015 Apr;47(4):751-6.
PMID: 25740651 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-015-0789-4

A number of methods have been used for the detection of the presence of microsarcocysts in animals, but little information exists on the value between the various methods. This study therefore examined for Sarcocystis spp. using three different methods in 105 samples of skeletal muscle collected from goats slaughtered in an abattoir in Selangor, Malaysia from January to February 2014. Three methods were used, direct light microscopy of squashed fresh muscle tissues; histological examination of fixed, sectioned, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained samples of muscle; and molecular identification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of the 105 tissue samples, 55 (52.38 %) were positive by light microscopy (LM), 46 (43.8 %) by histology, and 95 (90.48 %) by PCR. Only 29 (27.6 %) and 5 (4.76 %) samples were positive and negative, respectively, by all three methods. The cysts were elongated to a spindle shape with a mean size of 393.30 × 81.6 μm and containing banana-shaped bradyzoites of size 12.32 × 2.08 μm. The wall of the cyst was radially striated with a thickness of 2.83 μm. Samples were tested for the presence of Sarcocystis-specific 18S rRNA and were identified as Sarcocystis capracanis. Of the three methods used, the PCR test appears to be the most useful method for the diagnosis of sarcocystosis especially for species identification.

Matched MeSH terms: Sarcocystis/classification
Molecular evidence of Sarcocystis nesbitti in water samples of Tioman Island, Malaysia

Shahari S, Tengku-Idris TI, Fong MY, Lau YL

Parasit Vectors, 2016 11 23;9(1):598.
PMID: 27881179

BACKGROUND: Sarcocystis are intracellular protozoan parasites that are characterised by their ability to invade muscle tissue and form intramuscular sarcocysts. A muscular sarcocystosis outbreak was reported by travellers returning from Tioman Island in 2011 and 2012 where Sarcocystis nesbitti was identified as the main cause. The source of the S. nesbitti that was involved has remained elusive, although water is hypothesised to be the main cause of transmission. A surveillance study was therefore undertaken in the northern regions of Tioman Island to identify the source of S. nesbitti by screening rivers, water tanks, wells and seawater.
METHODS: Water samples were collected from rivers, water tanks, wells and seawater on Tioman Island over the course of April to October 2015. Water samples were indirectly screened for Sarcocystis species by obtaining sediment from respective water sources. PCR amplification of the 18S rRNA gene region was conducted to identify positive samples. Microscopy was used in an attempt to reappraise PCR results, but no sporocysts were detected in any of the samples.
RESULTS: A total of 157 water samples were obtained and 19 were positive for various Sarcocystis species. Through BLASTn and phylogenetic analysis, these species were found to be S. singaporensis, S. nesbitti, Sarcocystis sp. YLL-2013 and one unidentified Sarcocystis species.
CONCLUSIONS: This is the first positive finding of S. nesbitti in water samples on Tioman Island, which was found in a water tank and in river water samples. This finding supports the hypothesis that water was a potential medium for the transmission of S. nesbitti during the outbreak. This will potentially identify areas in which preventive measures can be taken to prevent future outbreaks.

Matched MeSH terms: Sarcocystis/classification
Fulltext High prevalence of muscular sarcocystosis in cattle and water buffaloes from Selangor, Malaysia

Latif B, Vellayan S, Heo CC, Kannan Kutty M, Omar E, Abdullah S, et al.

Trop Biomed, 2013 Dec;30(4):699-705.
PMID: 24522140 MyJurnal

The prevalence of sarcocystosis in cattle and water buffaloes from peninsular Malaysia was investigated in abattoirs in Selangor state, February, 2011, to March, 2012. Fresh muscle samples were collected from the tongue, heart, oesophagus, diaphragm and skeletal muscles of 102 cattle and 18 water buffaloes. Each sample was initially screened by light microscopy and then fixed for further histopathological analysis. Out of 120 animals examined, 49 (40.8%) harboured the microscopic type of Sarcocystis spp. The positivity rate for cattle was 36.2% and for water buffaloes 66.7%. In cattle, the organs highly infected were the skeletal muscles and diaphragm (27% each), followed by tongue and esophagus (24.3% each), and the heart (8%). In water buffaloes, the heart was most often infected (66.7%), followed by the oesophagus (50%) and skeletal muscle (33.3%); no sarcocysts were detected in the tongue and diaphragm. The shape of the sarcocyst was fusiform to oval with a mean cyst size of 151.66 x 75.83 μm and wall thickness of 2.47 μm in cattle, and 114 x 50.81 μm cyst size and the wall thickness of 1.11 μm in water buffaloes, consistent with Sarcocystis cruzi and Sarcocystis levinei, respectively. Remaining tissue from cattle was subjected to parasite specific 18S rRNA gene PCR and Sarcocystis cruzi was confirmed, at least exemplarily. The peripheral metrocytes and the banana-shaped bradyzoites (15.23 x 2.2 μm in cattle and 11.49 x 2.45 μm in water buffalo hosts) were easily recognized. In conclusion, a high positivity rate was found in Malaysian meat-producing animals with possible implications for meat consumption and human health.

Matched MeSH terms: Sarcocystis/classification
Sarcocystis booliati n.sp. and a parasite of undetermined taxonomic position, Octoplasma garnhami n. gen. n. sp., from the moonrat, Echinosorex gymnurus

Dissanaike AS, Poopalachelvam M

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1975 Jun;6(2):175-85.
PMID: 809845

Sarcocystis booliati n.sp. is described from the moonrat Echinosorex gymnurus (Mammalia, Insectivora) from West Malaysia. The cysts are very thin-walled, not visible to the naked eye, and have no trabeculae or cytophaneres. They are found in skeletal but not heart muscle. The zoites are small, 5-8 by 2-3 mum with a mean of 6.5 by 2.2 mum, in dry fixed smears. Octoplasma garnhami n.gen. n.sp., a parasite of undetermined taxonomic status but belonging to the Coccidiasina, Apicomplexa, is also described from the same host. Only schizononts and pseudocysts with typically 8 zoites, have so far been seen in monocytes of the spleen and liver. The zoites are large, 15 by 3 mum and have a distinct nucleolus even in dry-fixed smears.

Matched MeSH terms: Sarcocystis/classification
Fulltext Neglected tropical diseases among two indigenous subtribes in peninsular Malaysia: highlighting differences and co-infection of helminthiasis and sarcocystosis

Lee SC, Ngui R, Tan TK, Muhammad Aidil R, Lim YA

PLoS One, 2014;9(9):e107980.
PMID: 25248116 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107980

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections have been documented among these minority groups since 1938. However the prevalence of STH is still high among these communities. Most studies tend to consider the Orang Asli (indigenous) as a homogenous group. In contrary, different subtribes have their own cultural practices. To understand this variation better, we studied the prevalence and associated factors of STH and other gut parasitic infections among two common subtribes (i.e. Temuan and Temiar). Results showed that the prevalence of the overall STH infections was higher in the Temuan subtribe (53.2% of 171) compared to the Temiar subtribe (52.7% of 98). Trichuris trichiura (46.2%) was the most prevalent parasite in the Temuan subtribe, followed by Ascaris spp. (25.7%) and hookworm (4.1%). In contrast, Ascaris spp. (39.8%) was more prevalent among the Temiar subtribe, preceded by T. trichiura (35.7%) and finally hookworm (8.3%). There were also co-infections of helminthiasis and intestinal protozoa among both Temuan and Temiar subtribes with rates being three times higher among the Temiar compared to Temuan. The most common co-infection was with Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii (n = 24; 24.5%, 16.0-33.0), followed by Giardia spp. (n = 3; 3.1%, -0.3-6.5). In Temuan, STH infection individuals were also infected with Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii (n = 11; 6.4%, 5.0-13.8), Cryptosporidium spp. (n = 3, 1.8%, -0.2-3.8) and Giardia spp. (n = 2, 1.2%, -0.4-2.8). In comparison, there was no Cryptosporidium spp. detected among the Temiar. However, it was interesting to note that there was an occurrence of co-infection of intestinal helminthiasis and sarcocystosis (intestinal) in a Temiar individual. The last report of sarcocystosis (muscular) among the Orang Asli was in 1978. The present study highlighted the importance of understanding the variation of infections amongst the different Orang Asli subtribes. It is vital to note these differences and use this knowledge to customise effective control measures for the various subtribes.

Matched MeSH terms: Sarcocystis/classification*

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