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Sarcocystis transmitted by blood transfusion

R Fayer, R G Leek

    The Journal of Parasitology
    |December 1, 1979
    PubMed

    Insights

    Blood transfusions can transmit Sarcocystis parasites between animals of the same species. This study demonstrates that Sarcocystis bovicanis, Sarcocystis ovicanis, and Sarcocystis suihominis can be transmitted via blood, leading to intramuscular cyst development in recipients.

    Area of Science:

    • Veterinary Parasitology
    • Animal Pathology
    • Infectious Diseases

    Background:

    • Sarcocystosis is a parasitic disease affecting various animal species.
    • Oral ingestion of sporocysts is a known route of infection for Sarcocystis species.
    • The transmission of Sarcocystis via blood transfusion has not been extensively studied.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the potential for blood transfusion to transmit Sarcocystis parasites between intermediate hosts of the same species.
    • To determine if merozoites in blood can cause infection and lead to cyst formation in recipient animals.

    Main Methods:

    • Oral infection of calves, lambs, and pigs with sporocysts of Sarcocystis bovicanis, Sarcocystis ovicanis, and Sarcocystis suihominis.
    • Collection of blood containing merozoites from acutely infected donors.
    • Transfusion of infected blood into uninfected recipients of the same species.
    • Histological examination of tissues from recipients and controls to detect intramuscular cysts.

    Main Results:

    • Donors infected with Sarcocystis species died from acute sarcocystosis.
    • Transfusion recipients developed significant numbers of intramuscular Sarcocystis cysts.
    • Uninfected, non-transfused control animals showed few or no cysts, confirming transmission via blood.

    Conclusions:

    • Blood transfusion is an effective method for transmitting Sarcocystis bovicanis, Sarcocystis ovicanis, and Sarcocystis suihominis between intermediate hosts of the same species.
    • Merozoites present in the blood of infected animals can establish new infections and form cysts in recipients.
    • This finding has implications for understanding parasite spread and implementing biosecurity measures in livestock.

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