Molecular Evidence of Sarcocystis Species Infecting Reptiles in Peninsular Malaysia

The genus Sarcocystis consists of intracellular coccidian protozoan parasites with the ability to invade muscle tissue and mature into sarcocysts, causing the zoonotic disease sarcocystosis. These parasites have an obligatory two-host life cycle, which correlates with prey-predator relationship. The distribution and prevalence of Sarcocystis in reptiles remains unclear, despite several previous reports. The aim of this study was to identify the genetic assemblage of the species of Sarcocystis infecting Malaysian snakes and lizards by screening stool samples.

Overall, 54 fecal samples of various snake species and four fecal samples of several lizard species in Malaysia were taken within the course of August 2015 to January 2016 from Seremban, Melaka, Tioman Island, Pahang, Klang and Langkawi Wildlife Park located in Malaysia. The samples were examined for Sarcocystis through PCR amplification of the 18S rDNA sequence at the Department of Parasitology, University of Malaya.

Fourteen snake fecal samples were positive via PCR; however, only eight samples (14%) were found positive for Sarcocystis species, whereas four were positive for other genera and the identity of another three samples was unable to be determined. Further phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rDNA sequences revealed that the snakes were infected with either S. singaporensis, S. lacertae, or undefined Sarcocystis species closely related to either S. singaporensis or S. zuoi. Sarcocystis nesbitti infection was not identified in any of the infected snakes.

This is the first report of identification of S. lacertae in the black-headed cat snake.