Sarcocystis of cattle in El-Minia, Upper Egypt and ultrastructure of sarcocystic hominis cysts

ABSTRACT

Skeletal muscle samples were obtained from 12 cattle, and all the examined samples were found infected with Sarcocystis cysts. Light microscopic [LM] examination of fresh isolated cysts showed three Sarcocystis species; S. cruzi with thin walled cyst of hairy protrusions and S. hirsuta and S. hominis with thick radially striated cyst wall. Cyst wall protrusion of S. hirsuta had a sloping pattern, while those of S. hominis were broadly seated on the cyst surface in upright pattern. Transmission electron microscope [TEM] examination of cysts of S. hominis showed villar protrusions, which arise with broad basis from the cyst surface, finger-like in outline and had microfilaments in the core. Leaflets of membrane-like structures were present between bradyzoites. The morphological criteria of this species and its medical importance were discussed and this is the first description of S. hominis from cattle in El-Minia, Upper Egypt