Sarcocystis infections in Georgia swine

Tissues from 168 mature sows obtained at slaughter in northern and southern Georgia were examined for infection with Sarcocystis spp. Digestion techniques revealed zoites in 28 (16.5%) sows. Infected meat was fed to laboratory-reared dogs, cats, raccoons (Procyon lotor), and opossums (Didelphis marsupialis). Dogs and raccoons shed sporocysts (8.3 mum X 11.2 mum) 12 to 14 days after infection. Cats and opossums were refractory to infection. Sarcocystis-free pigs were infected with 50,000 sporocysts of swine-dog origin. Tissues from laboratory-infected swine were fed to dogs and raccoons. Both species shed sporocysts 14 days later. This is the 1st time in which a definitive host has been demonstrated for species of Sarcocystis occurring in North American swine. The raccoon constitutes a new definitive host for S suicanis Erber 1977. In contrast to previously reported low prevalences of Sarcocystis infections in swine, the relatively high prevalence reported here indicates that S suicanis may be of importance to swine producers in Georgia.