scholarly journals Identification of Sarcocystis spp. in One-humped Camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Riyadh and Dammam, Saudi Arabia, via Histological and Phylogenetic Approaches

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina M. Metwally ◽  
Tahani T. Al-Otaibi ◽  
Isra M. Al-Turaiki ◽  
Manal F. El-Khadragy ◽  
Reem A. Alajmi
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Bubalus Bubalis ◽  
Significant Finding ◽  
Protozoan Parasites ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Sarcocystis Spp ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Camel Meat

Sarcocystis (S.) spp. are intracellular protozoan parasites that infect birds and animals, resulting in substantial commercial losses. Sarcocystis spp. have an indirect life cycle; canines and felines are known to act as final hosts, and numerous domestic and wild animals act as intermediate hosts. The presence of sarcocysts in camel meat may diminish its commercial quality. There is limited knowledge regarding the taxonomy and diagnosis of Sarcocystis spp. that infect camels in Saudi Arabia. In this study, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed S. cameli and S. camelicanis (camelicanis) in Camelus (C.) dromedarius. This is the first report of S. camelicanis in Saudi Arabia and is considered a significant finding. Based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COX1) sequences, two samples of Sarcocystis spp. isolated from C. dromedarius in Riyadh and Dammam were grouped with S. levinei hosted by Bubalus bubalis in India, S. rangi hosted by Rangifer tarandus in Norway, S. miescheriana hosted by Sus scrofa in Italy and S. fayeri hosted by Equus caballus in Canada. The sequences obtained in this study have been deposited in GenBank.

scholarly journals The Role of Birds of the Family Corvidae in Transmitting Sarcocystis Protozoan Parasites

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3258
Author(s):  
Evelina Juozaitytė-Ngugu ◽  
Saulius Švažas ◽  
Donatas Šneideris ◽  
Eglė Rudaitytė-Lukošienė ◽  
Dalius Butkauskas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Microscope ◽  
Sarcocystis Species ◽  
Protozoan Parasites ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Specific Pcr ◽  
Sarcocystis Spp ◽  
The Family ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Pcr Targeting

Members of the family Corvidae are ecologically flexible omnivorous birds, particularly adaptive to urban habitats, and living in proximity to humans; these birds may serve as definitive hosts (DH) for Sarcocystis spp., but research about this is lacking. In the present study, intestinal samples from 91 corvids collected in Lithuania were molecularly tested by species-specific PCR targeting the ITS1 and cox1 genes and subsequently sequenced for the presence of Sarcocystis spp. Under a light microscope, oocysts of Sarcocystis spp. were observed in 43 samples (47.3%), while molecular methods, detected Sarcocystis spp. in 77 birds (84.6%). Eleven Sarcocystis spp. (S. columbae, S. cornixi, potentially pathogenic S. halieti, S. kutkienae, S. lari, S. turdusi, S. wobeseri, S. arctica, S. lutrae, S. ovalis, and S. oviformis) were identified in the intestinal samples from six corvid species from Lithuania. Infections with multiple Sarcocystis spp. were detected in 79.2% of the infected corvid birds. Three of the identified Sarcocystis spp. use corvids as intermediate hosts (IH); therefore, corvids may serve as IH and DH of the same Sarcocystis species. Based on molecular results and on corvid diet, omnivorous corvids may play an important role in transmitting Sarcocystis spp.

scholarly journals Sarcocystis camelicanis increases interleukin (IL)-6 expression in one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Riyadh and Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina M. Metwally ◽  
Tahani T. Al-Otaibi ◽  
Abdelhabib Semlali ◽  
Reem A. Alajmi
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscles ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Lethal Effect ◽  
Protozoan Parasites ◽  
Sarcocystis Spp ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Host Life ◽  
Macroscopic Examination ◽  
Stimulation Of

Abstract Sarcocystis spp. are intracellular protozoan parasites with an intermediate-definitive host life cycle based on a prey–predator relationship. Sarcocystis infection is common among different vertebrates including humans. The pathogenicity of Sarcocystis spp. is of varied significance including a possible lethal effect for the host. The goal of the present study was to investigate the inflammatory activity of Sarcocystis spp. in different organs of naturally infected camels. The tongue, esophagus, heart, diaphragm, and skeletal muscles were collected from 50 camels, and the tissues assessed for the presence of Sarcocystis spp. by macroscopic examination, light microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Moreover, expression of the interleukin (IL)-6 was analyzed using reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Microscopic Sarcocystis spp. cysts were found in camels. TEM identified the cysts as Sarcocystis camelicanis (S. camelicanis). Sarcocystis infection increased inflammation by stimulation of IL-6 expression in different organs of the camels, particularly in those from the Al-Qassim region.

scholarly journals Ultrastructure of the cysts of Sarcocystis rangi from skeletal muscle of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus)

Rangifer ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bjørn Gjerde
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Thin Layer ◽  
Smooth Surface ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Ground Substance ◽  
Sarcocystis Species ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
The Core ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Cyst Membrane

<p>Mature muscle cysts of Sarcocystis rangi from Rangifer tarandus were examined by transmission electron microscopy. The long and slender cysts were located within skeletal muscle cells, and were bounded by a unit membrane, the cyst membrane. The cysts were provided with closely spaced flexible, hairlike surface processes, measuring up to 12.6 |im in length and 0.3 to 0.6 \lm in diameter. The projections had a smooth surface, whereas the cyst membrane formed numerous hexagonally packed vesicular invaginations between the bases of the projections. The cyst membrane was reinforced by an underlying thin layer of electron-dense material, except at the points where it was invaginated. Cyst ground substance formed a thin layer at the periphery of the cysts, filled the core of the projections, and formed thin septa that divided the interior of the cysts into numerous compartments. Most compartments contained a large number of tightly packed cystozoites, whereas a few metrocytes were forund in each of a few compartments at the periphery of the cysts. Some of the cystozoites multiplied by endodyogeny. The metrocytes displayed a vacuolation of their cytoplasm. The cysts of S. rangi were similar in surface morphology to the sarcocysts of certain other Sarcocystis species reported from other intermediate hosts.</p><p>Ultrastrukturen til cyster av Sarcocystis rangi fr&aring; skjelettmuskulaturen hos rein.</p><p>Abstract in Norwegian / Samandrag: Muskelcyster av S. rangi fr&aring; rein vart unders&oslash;kt ved transmisjonselektronmikroskopi. Dei lange cystene l&aring;g intracellul&aelig;rt i skjelettmuskelceller, og var avgrensa av ein element&aelig;rmembran, cystemembranen. Cystene var utstyrt med talrike h&aring;rliknande overflateprosessar, som strekte seg langsetter cysteoverflata. Prcsessane var opptil 12.6 Hm lange, og m&aring;lte 0.3 til 0.6 \lm i diameter. Prosessane hadde ei glatt overflate, medan cystemembranen danna talrike regelmessige ordna, sm&aring; invaginasjonar innimellom basis av prosessane. Cystemembranen var forsterka p&aring; innsida av eit tunnt lag av elektrontett materiale, med unnatak av dei stadene der han var invaginert. Cystegrunnsubstans danna eit lag perifert i cystene, fylte det indre av prosessane, og danna septa som delte cystene inn i talrike kammer. Dei fleste kammera inneheldt cystozoitar, medan metrocytar fannst i nokre f&aring;, sm&aring; kammer perifert i cystene. Nokre av cystozoitane gjennomgjekk ei todeling ved endodyogeni. Mange metrocytar hadde eit vakuolisert cytoplasma. Cystene til S. rangi var sv&aelig;rt like cystene til visse Sarcocystis-3.net fr&aring; andre mellomvertar med omsyn til overflatemorfologi.</p>

scholarly journals Sarcocystis Attenuati N. Sp. (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) Infecting the Asian Gray Shrew, Crocidura Attenuata (Insectivora: Soricidae), in China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
junjie hu ◽  
Jun Sun ◽  
Yanmei Guo ◽  
Hongxia Zeng ◽  
Yunzhi Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Specificity ◽  
Definitive Host ◽  
18S Rdna ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Parasite Life Cycle ◽  
Rdna Sequences ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
18S Rdna Sequences

Abstract Background: There are limited data on Sarcocystis in insectivores. The Asian gray shrew, Crocidura attenuata, is one of the most common species of insectivores in the family Soricidae distributed in South Asia and Southeast Asia. To date, Sarcocystis has never been recorded in this host.Methods: Tissues from 42 Asian gray shrews were collected in China in 2017 and 2018. Sarcocysts were observed using light (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). To complete the parasite life cycle, muscle tissues of the host infected with sarcocysts were force-fed to two beauty rat snakes, Elaphe taeniura. Individual sarcocysts from different Asian gray shrews and oocysts/sporocysts isolated from the small intestines and feces of the experimental snakes were selected for DNA extraction, and seven genetic markers, including two nuclear loci (18S rDNA and ITS1), three mitochondrial genes (cox1, cox3 and cytb), and two apicoplastic genes (rpoB and clpC), were amplified, sequenced and analyzed.Results: Sarcocysts were found in 17 of 42 (40.5%) Asian gray shrews. Under LM, the microscopic sarcocysts were exhibited saw-tooth-like protrusions measuring 3.3–4.5 μm. Ultrastructurally, the sarcocyst wall contained numerous lancet- or leaf-like villous protrusions, similar to type 9h. The experimental beauty rat snakes shed oocysts/sporcysts measuring 11.9–16.7 × 9.2–10.6 μm with a prepatent period of 10 to 11 days. Comparing these sequences with those previously deposited in GenBank revealed that the 18S rDNA sequences and cox1 sequences shared the highest similarity with those of S. scandentiborneensis recorded in tree shrews, Tuaia minor and T. tana (i.e., 97.6–98.3% and 100% identity, respectively). Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rDNA, ITS1 or cox1 sequences revealed that this parasite formed an independent clade with Sarcocystis spp. that utilize small animals as intermediate hosts and snakes as the known or presumed definitive host. On the basis of morphological and molecular characteristics and host specificity, the parasite was proposed as a new species, named S. attenuati.Conclusions: Sarcocysts were recorded in Asian gray shrews for the first time. The sarcocysts were characterized morphologically and molecularly. The 18S rDNA and cox1 sequences of S. attenuati, named in the present study, shared the highest identities with those of S. scandentiborneensis. However, the sarcocysts of the two species of Sarcocystis were quite different under LM and TEM. Based on experimental infection, beauty rat snakes have been proven to be a definitive host of S. attenuati. As more species of Sarcocystis from insectivores and other small mammals are properly morphologically and molecularly characterized, we may gain a better understanding of the biodiversity, host specificity and evolution of Sarcocystis in the future.

scholarly journals Molecular identification of Sarcocystis spp. in cattle: partial sequencing of Cytochrome C Oxidase subunit 1 (COI)

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Selene Rubiola ◽  
Francesco Chiesa ◽  
Stefania Zanet ◽  
Tiziana Civera
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Cytochrome C ◽  
Cytochrome C Oxidase ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Bovine Muscle ◽  
Oxidase Subunit ◽  
Sarcocystis Spp

Sarcocystis spp. are protozoan parasites with an obligatory two-host life cycle, with herbivores as intermediate hosts and carnivores as definitive hosts. Cattle are intermediate hosts for several species of Sarcocystis: indeed, in addition to S. cruzi, S. hirsuta and S. hominis, at least four new species were recently identified in bovine muscle: S. bovifelis, S. rommeli, S. bovini and S. heydorni. Since is not possible to unambiguously discriminate between S. hominis and the new species either morphologically or by the analysis of the 18S ribosomial (rRNA) gene, the aim of the present study was to use molecular techniques to discriminate cattle Sarcocystis species, taking advantage of the higher discriminative power of the Cytochrome C Oxidase subunit I mitochondrial (mtDNA COI) gene. Therefore, 119 bovine muscle samples were tested to identify S. hominis-like sarcocystis using a multiplex PCR of the 18S rRNA gene; later, positive samples were tested using a newly designed primer set for the PCR amplification of COI gene. Species identification was achieved by sequencing the amplified products: 16 sequences were confirmed to belong to S. bovifelis, while 12 sequences didn’t constitute the best BLAST match of any of the published sequences, allowing to speculate the possible presence of S. hominis. This study confirms the higher discriminatory power of COI mitochondrial gene; besides, our work provides the first report of S. bovifelis in Italy.

scholarly journals Epidemiological and Histopathological Investigation of Sarcocystis spp. in Slaughtered Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Egypt

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 162
Author(s):  
Ahmed Gareh ◽  
Mahmoud Soliman ◽  
Amira A. Saleh ◽  
Fatma A. El-Gohary ◽  
Heba M. M. El-Sherbiny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cardiac Muscle ◽  
Infection Rate ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Sarcocystis Spp ◽  
Wide Range

Sarcocystosis is considered one of the major parasitic diseases with a worldwide distribution. It is caused by the obligatory intracellular protozoan parasites of the genus Sarcocystis. Besides its public health issues, sarcocystosis results in significant economic losses due to its impact on productivity and milk yield. A wide range of final and intermediate hosts have been identified, including mammals, birds, and reptiles; however, few studies have investigated the contribution of camels to maintaining the epidemiological foci of the disease in countries such as Egypt. The present study was conducted to grossly and histopathologically identify the prevalence rate of Sarcocystis spp. in camels (N = 100) from the Aswan Governorate, Egypt. Furthermore, the major risk factors related to the development of sarcocystosis in camels were investigated. Samples from the diaphragm, cardiac muscle, esophagus, and testes of the slaughtered camels were collected. Interestingly, Sarcocystis was detected in 75% of the examined camels. Following the studied variable factors, camels aged 5 years or more were found to be at higher risk, with an infection rate of 87.7% (57 of 65) than those younger than 5 years. The infection rate was 81.4% (57 of 70) in males and 60% (18 of 30) in females. The esophagus was the most affected organ (49%), followed by the diaphragm (26%) and cardiac muscle (17%), whereas none of the testes samples were affected. Taken together, the present study demonstrates the high prevalence of Sarcocystis in the examined camels and suggests the importance of these animals in preserving the epidemiological foci of sarcocystosis in Egypt. Future research should map the circulating strains in Egypt and aim to raise public health awareness about the importance of sarcocystosis and other related zoonotic diseases.

REGULAR ARTICLES / ARTICLES RÉGULIERSFactors affecting the distribution and transmission of Elaphostrongylus rangiferi (Protostrongylidae) in caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) of Newfoundland, Canada

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (7) ◽  
pp. 1265-1277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark C Ball ◽  
Murray W Lankester ◽  
Shane P Mahoney
Keyword(s):  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Parasite Abundance ◽  
Annual Minimum Temperature ◽  
Transmission Period ◽  
Summer Temperatures ◽  
Elaphostrongylus Rangiferi ◽  
Dual Infections

Elaphostrongylus rangiferi was introduced to caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) of Newfoundland by infected reindeer (R. t. tarandus) from Norway and has caused at least two epizootics of cerebrospinal elaphostrongylosis (CSE), a debilitating neurologic disease. In an attempt to understand the conditions necessary for such outbreaks, we examined the effects of herd density and climatic factors on parasite abundance. The abundance of E. rangiferi was represented by counts of first-stage larvae in feces collected from young caribou (calves and yearlings) in 7 distinct caribou herds in Newfoundland. Abundance of E. rangiferi was highest in February and in the Avalon (632 ± 14 (mean ± SE)) and St. Anthony (526 ± 145) herds, the 2 herds in which CSE was most frequently reported. Mean abundance in February samples from young animals correlated positively with mean annual minimum temperature (rS = 0.829, df = 6, P = 0.04) and the number of days per year above 0°C (rS = 0.812, df = 6, P = 0.05) and negatively with mean summer temperatures (rS = –0.830, df = 6, P = 0.04). Results suggest that abundance of E. rangiferi and the likelihood of cases of CSE are increased by moderate summer temperatures suitable for the activity and infection of gastropod intermediate hosts and by mild winters with little snow that extend the transmission period. Abundance of larvae was not correlated with herd density. Animals in all 7 herds also had the muscle worm Parelaphostrongylus andersoni, a related nematode with similar dorsal-spined larvae. In 2 additional herds (Cape Shore and Bay de Verde), P. andersoni occurred alone and larvae were passed only by young caribou. In herds with dual infections, numbers of P. andersoni larvae were depressed, declined more quickly in young animals, and were considered to be present in only low numbers in February samples used for E. rangiferi analysis. Upon initial infection, young caribou develop a resistance to E. rangiferi that prevents or reduces reinfection later in life. This was demonstrated by examining the brains of caribou for recently acquired worms, which must develop there for up to 90 days before continuing their tissue migration into the skeletal muscles. Recent infections were detected in only calves and yearlings in all herds with E. rangiferi except the Avalon herd, where developing worms were also found on the brains of older caribou. The infection of older animals in the Avalon herd may reflect a lower immunocompetence of a naive herd that has only recently been exposed to E. rangiferi.

Observation of Redshifts of Photoluminescence from Thin Films Assembled by CuCl Nanoclusters

1997 ◽  
Vol 11 (06) ◽  
pp. 275-281
Author(s):  
Bingyou Miao ◽  
Jianmin Hong ◽  
Pingping Chen ◽  
Xiaoli Yuan ◽  
Min Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Quantum Confinement ◽  
Phonon Coupling ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Evaporation Technique ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Quartz Substrates ◽  
Cucl Nanocrystals ◽  
Gas Evaporation Technique

Two samples of thin films, assembled by CuCl nanoclusters, have been prepared by the gas evaporation technique. The CuCl nanoclusters were deposited on monocrystalline silicon and quartz substrates and then coated with a layer of NaCl to prevent oxidation of the CuCl nanoclusters. From transmission electron microscope and selected area diffraction, it is clear that the two samples consist of CuCl nanocrystals and Cu aggregates and the mean diameters are about 3 nm and 6 nm. From the absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the two samples carried out at ~300 K, we found that the peaks of exciton absorption do not show up and luminescence peaks shift to lower energies, possibly due to the strong coupling between exciton and phonon. At 77 K, the PL peaks of excitons broadened by exciton–phonon coupling have been observed, in approximate agreement with the values calculated by the quantum confinement model. The broad peaks of emission from trapped states or bands have also been observed at 77 K. In addition, the interaction between exciton and phonon is stronger in the sample with mean diameter about 3 nm according to a larger broadening and redshift of the PL peak from excitons, in qualitative agreement with theoretical prediction.

scholarly journals Diagnosis of Sarcocystis spp. in cattle (Bos taurus) and water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Northern Vietnam

2009 ◽  
Vol 166 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 314-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Jehle ◽  
A. Dinkel ◽  
A. Sander ◽  
M. Morent ◽  
T. Romig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Buffalo ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bubalus Bubalis ◽  
Northern Vietnam ◽  
Sarcocystis Spp

scholarly journals Ultrastructure of in vitro oocyte maturation in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Zygote ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Gianella Mondadori ◽  
Tiago Rollemberg Santin ◽  
Andrei Antonioni Guedes Fidelis ◽  
Khesller Patrícia Olázia Name ◽  
Juliana Souza da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polar Body ◽  
Bubalus Bubalis ◽  
Ultrastructural Changes ◽  
Oocyte Nucleus ◽  
Cortical Granules ◽  
Immature Oocytes ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
High Lipid ◽  
First Polar Body

SummaryThe objective of the present study was to describe ultrastructural changes in the nucleus and cytoplasmic organelles during in vitro maturation (IVM) of buffalo cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs). The structures were collected by ovum pick-up (OPU). Some COCs, removed from maturation medium at 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h, were processed for transmission electron microscopy. The average number of COCs collected by OPU/animal/session was 6.4, and 44% of them were viable. Immature oocytes had a peripherally located nucleus, Golgi complex and mitochondrial clusters, as well as a large number of coalescent lipid vacuoles. After 6 h of IVM, the oocyte nucleus morphology changed from round to a flatter shape, and the granulosa cells (GC) lost most of their contact with zona pellucida (ZP). At 12 h the first polar body was extruded and the aspect of lipid droplet changed to dark, probably denoting lipid oxidation. Cortical granules were clearly visible at 18 h of maturation, always located along the oocyte periphery. At 24 h of IVM the number of cortical granules increased. Ultrastructure studies revealed that: (1) immature oocytes have a high lipid content; (2) the perivitelline space (PS) increases during IVM; (3) Golgi complexes and mitochondrial clusters migrate to oocyte periphery during IVM; (4) 6 h of IVM are enough to lose contact between GC and ZP; (5) the oocyte lipid droplets’ appearance changes between 6 and 12 h of IVM.

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