Human muscle sarcocystosis in relation to non specific rheumatic diseases and rheumatoid arthritis

ABSTRACT

Human muscle sarcocystosis is a parasitic infestation acquired by ingestion of the sporocysts of the sarcocystis species. Sarcocystis antibodies were said to be encountered in patients with connective or mixed connective tissue disorders. Parasitological etiology of musculoskeletal disorders may help to modify the line of treatment of these patients. This study was performed on 22 non specific rheumatic patients, 21 rheumatoid arthritic [RA] patients and 10 apparently healthy persons as controls. Using the sarcocystis fusiformis antigen [Ag.], serum samples of the patients were tested for the presence of sarcocystis species antibodies using the Westren Blot technique. Of the 22 patients of the first group, 14 were positive [63.7%], of the 21 patients of the second group 5 were positive [23.8%]. They deducted several band ranges from 15-116 KD. Most of these samples had eosinophilia ranging from 7-20%. None of the control group serum reacted against sarcocystis Ag. Statistically the difference between the two groups was significant [P <0.04]. Sarcocystis infection may be an important cause of the non specific rheumatic diseases associated with myositis. Diagnosis and treatment of such a frequent infestation in carefully chosen cases would relieve them from prolonged intake of antirheumatics and their side effects