Infectivity of sarcocystis from donkey for horse via sporocysts from dogs.
Abstract: The dog is the final host for sarcosporidia cysts from the oesophagus and diaphragm of donkeys from Sardinia. The prepatent period lasted 9 to 10 days. Sporocysts measured 12.2-13.8 X 9.2-9.9 microns. Infection of a horse with 10(5) donkey/dog sporocysts increased the rectal temperature to more than 40 degrees C on days 10 and 20 after infection. On day 138 p.i. predominantly immature cysts containing metrocytes were found, especially in the oesophagus. Infection on day 117 p.i. with 2 X 10(5) horse/dog sporocysts did not give rise to a temperature increase during the following 21 days. The final host of sarcosporidia cysts from the oesophagus and diaphragm of horses from Sardinia is the dog. The prepatent period lasted 9-10 days. Sporocysts measured 12.2-13.8 X 9.2-9.9 microns. The rise in the rectal temperature of three foals infected with horse/dog sporocysts did not differ from that of the foal infected with donkey/dog sporocysts. In both cases rectal temperature increased to more than 40 degrees C on days 10 and 20 following infection with 10(5) sporocysts. Because of the occurrence of two temperature peaks following infection, two generations of schizogony are postulated. The presence of a sarcosporidia species occurring in the donkey only is doubtful.
Publication Date: 1983-01-01 PubMed ID: 6410602DOI: 10.1007/BF00927871Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research study examines the infectivity of the parasite Sarcocystis from donkeys to horses via dog sporocysts. The study reveals that infection can induce fever in horses, and suggests that the cycle of infection might involve two generations of the parasite.
Research objective and method
- In this research, the scientists aimed to understand the role of dogs, donkeys, and horses in the life cycle of the parasite Sarcocystis. This was accomplished by examining how the parasite moved and affected each of these animals.
- The research involved infecting a horse with a large number of sporocysts (the form of the parasite that infects the intestines of its host) sourced from a donkey and a dog. The team monitored the horse’s health, specifically its rectal temperature, as an indicator of infection.
Results and findings
- The study highlighted that the dog seems to be the final host for this type of Sarcocystis parasite, which forms cysts in the esophagus and diaphragm of horses and donkeys.
- It was found that after an incubation period of about 9-10 days, the parasites could induce a significant fever in horses. This temperature increase occurred notably on the 10th and 20th days following infection.
- The method of infection also uncovered more about the parasites’ life cycle. Upon discovering predominantly immature cysts in the horse’s oesophagus on day 138 post-infection, it is theorized that the parasite goes through two generations of reproduction (known as schizogony) throughout its life cycle.
Implications and conclusions
- The outcomes of this study highlight the infectivity of Sarcocystis in horses from donkeys via sporocysts from dogs, a factor that could have significant health implications for infected animals.
- The suggestion of two generations of schizogony during the parasite’s lifecycle implies a complex and adaptable life cycle, having implications for disease management and control.
- Ultimately, the research calls into question the presence of a Sarcocystis species that solely occurs in donkeys, shedding new light on the parasite’s biology and transmission.
Cite This Article
APA
Matuschka FR.
(1983).
Infectivity of sarcocystis from donkey for horse via sporocysts from dogs.
Z Parasitenkd, 69(3), 299-304.
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00927871 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cats
- Dog Diseases / parasitology
- Dog Diseases / transmission
- Dogs
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horse Diseases / transmission
- Horses
- Perissodactyla / parasitology
- Sarcocystis / isolation & purification
- Sarcocystis / pathogenicity
- Sarcocystosis / parasitology
- Sarcocystosis / transmission
- Sarcocystosis / veterinary
References
This article includes 10 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Zhang M, Wei K, Wu Z, Sun J, Hu J, Deng S, Tao J. Morphological and molecular characterization of a Sarcocystis species infecting donkeys from China. Parasitol Res 2022 Oct;121(10):2917-2926.
- Veronesi F, Di Palma S, Gabrielli S, Morganti G, Milardi GL, Middleton B, Lepri E. Sarcocystis gigantea infection associated with granulomatous eosinophilic myositis in a horse. J Vet Diagn Invest 2020 Jul;32(4):611-615.
- Zeng W, Sun L, Xiang Z, Li N, Zhang J, He Y, Li Q, Yang F, Song J, Morris J, Rosenthal BM, Sun L, Liu H, Yang Z. Morphological and molecular characteristics of Sarcocystis bertrami from horses and donkeys in China. Vet Parasitol 2018 Mar 15;252:89-94.
- Schnieder T, Kaup FJ, Drommer W, Thiel W, Rommel M. [Fine structure and development of Sarcocystis aucheniae in llamas]. Z Parasitenkd 1984;70(4):451-8.
- Entzeroth R, Chobotar B, Scholtyseck E, Neméseri L. Light and electron microscope study of Sarcocystis sp. from the fallow deer (Cervus dama). Z Parasitenkd 1985;71(1):33-9.
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