[Distribution of Sarcosporidia among wild animals in Bulgaria]

A total of 395 wild animals represented by 12 species have been studied over the 1972-1975 period for the presence of sarcosporidia--wild swine, does, hares, jackals, foxes, wild cats, polecats, rats, forest mice, and weasels killed in various regions of the district of Bourgas. Investigated were also several monkeys and wandering dogs. Samples were taken from the muscles of the neck abdomen, hind legs, gut, pharynx, chewing muscles, and hearts to study them for microcysts by the compression method. Sarcosporidia were established in 26.08% of the investigated animals of the following species: wild swine--66.76%, does--71.74%, hares--7.28%, rats--5.50%, and forest mice--10.0%. Most intensive proved parasitizing in does, hares, and swine, and least intensive--in rats and mice. Sarcocysts were found in all investigated viscera, highest being the parasite burden in the heart muscle of a doe. The sarcocyst (microcyst) infection in a particular animal species could be established through investigating the muscles of several organs. All data obtained are given in two tables.