Diagnosis of Sarcocystis cruzi, Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii infections in cattle

MORÉ G.; BASSO W.; BACIGALUPE D.; VENTURINI M.C.; VENTURINI L.

PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH

SPRINGER

Año: 2008 vol. 102 p. 671 - 675

0932-0113

The aim of the study was to diagnose Sarcocystis sp. infections in cattle and to detect co-infections by Toxoplasma gondii and/or Neospora caninum. Blood, diaphragm, oesophagus, and myocardium from 90 beef cattle from Argentina were collected. Histopathological, immunohistochemical, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and direct microscopical examination were carried out. Sarcocysts from myocardium were measured and counted. Indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) for the 3 protozoans was performed. Sarcocystis cruzi sarcocysts were found in 100% of myocardium samples. Sarcocysts per gram ranged from 8 to 380, with higher values found in adult cattle (p