FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasitol Res / Morphological and molecular characterization of a Sarcocysti...
Parasitology research2022; 121(10); 2917-2926; doi: 10.1007/s00436-022-07616-2

Morphological and molecular characterization of a Sarcocystis species infecting donkeys from China.

Abstract: There is considerable confusion concerning the relationships among species of Sarcocystis found in donkeys and horses. Here, we describe a Sarcocystis species in Chinese donkeys (Equus asinus). Sarcocysts were found in 12 of 32 (37.5%) adult donkeys. By light microscopy, they were divided into two types, thin-walled and thick-walled. The thin-walled were macroscopic (up to 320 μm wide) and had short club-like protrusions (up to 2.7 μm long); the thick-walled were microscopic (up to 135 μm wide) and had villar protrusions (up to 5.4 μm long). Ultrastructures of the two types exhibited similar morphological characteristics, including bundled microtubules in the core of the villar protrusions penetrating diagonally into the ground substance, similar to wall type 11c. Three genetic markers, 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, and mitochondrial cox1, obtained from the two morphotypes were sequenced and analyzed. The sequences of the three loci in the two morphotypes presented high intraspecific similarities of 97.2-99.5%, 97.8-99.6% and 99.0 - 99.9%, respectively. The most similar sequences in GenBank to the newly obtained 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA and cox1 sequences were those of Sarcocystis spp. in horses, with similarities of 90.0 - 97.5%, 94.7 - 95.1%, and 82.6 - 84.5%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis using the three genetic markers indicated that the Sarcocystis sp. in donkeys formed an individual clade most closely related to a clade encompassing Sarcocystis spp. in horses. Further studies are needed for taxonomic identification of sarcocysts in donkeys because the Sarcocystis species in donkeys and horses are not successfully cross transmissible despite morphological similarities.
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2022-08-09 PubMed ID: 35941324PubMed Central: 5967553DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07616-2Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research analyses the morphological and molecular characteristics of the Sarcocystis species, a form of parasitic infection, found in Chinese donkeys, identifying two types of this species with comparisons to those found in horses. Exploration was conducted by microscopy and genetic analysis, noting high intraspecific similarities with hints towards further study for accurate taxonomy given observed morphological similarities are not indicative of cross transmissibility between horse and donkey Sarcocystis species.

Study of Sarcocystis in Donkeys

  • The researchers examined samples from adult Chinese donkeys (Equus asinus), and found Sarcocystis parasites in 37.5% of them. This indicates that the parasite is prevalent in this subset of donkeys.
  • Using light microscopy, the team categorized the Sarcocystis species into two types based on wall thickness with the differentiation being thin-walled and thick-walled. The difference between the two is that thin-walled are macroscopic that is large and visible, while the thick-walled are microscopic or tiny.
  • Despite the size difference, both types showed similar morphological characteristics at the ultrastructural level.

Genetic Analysis of the Sarcocystis Species

  • Three genetic markers were isolated from the two types of Sarcocystis species for sequencing and analysis. These markers include 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, and mitochondrial cox1.
  • The sequences of these markers in both morphotypes related to the same species showed high intraspecific similarities, ranging from 97.2% to 99.9%.
  • The sequences were compared with those available on GenBank and identified that their 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, and cox1 sequences were most similar to those of Sarcocystis species found in horses. The range of similarity here varied broadly from 82.6% to 97.5%, indicating a close yet discernable genetic difference between the species found in donkeys and those in horses.

Phylogenetic Analysis

  • The phylogenetic analysis showed that the Sarcocystis species in donkeys formed a separate clade, but it was closely related to a clade formed by Sarcocystis species in horses. This indicates a shared ancestral background, but divergence in recent evolutionary history.
  • The study ended by suggesting that additional research is necessary for a comprehensive taxonomic identification of the Sarcocystis species in donkeys.
  • This is particularly important because despite morphological similarities, the Sarcocystis species in donkeys and horses have not been found to be cross transmissible. Therefore, external characteristics may not fully reveal the genetic differences that exist between the two species.

Cite This Article

APA
Zhang M, Wei K, Wu Z, Sun J, Hu J, Deng S, Tao J. (2022). Morphological and molecular characterization of a Sarcocystis species infecting donkeys from China. Parasitol Res, 121(10), 2917-2926. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-022-07616-2

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 121
Issue: 10
Pages: 2917-2926

Researcher Affiliations

Zhang, Mingzhu
  • School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences and Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China.
Wei, Kaiwen
  • School of Biological Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China.
Wu, Zhipeng
  • School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences and Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China.
Sun, Jun
  • School of Biological Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China.
Hu, Junjie
  • School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences and Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China. jjhu@ynu.edu.cn.
Deng, Shuangsheng
  • School of Biological Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China.
Tao, Jianping
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Equidae
  • Genetic Markers
  • Horses
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
  • Sarcocystis
  • Sarcocystosis / epidemiology
  • Sarcocystosis / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • 2017YFD0500400 / National Key R&D Program of China
  • 31460557 / Natural Sciences Foundation of China

References

This article includes 30 references
  1. Cawthorn RJ, Clark M, Hudson R, Friesen D. Histological and ultrastructural appearance of severe Sarcocystis fayeri infection in a malnourished horse.. J Vet Diagn Invest 1990 Oct;2(4):342-5.
    doi: 10.1177/104063879000200418pubmed: 2128874google scholar: lookup
  2. Doflein F. Sarcocystis bertrami n. sp.. 1901;pp 219–220.
  3. Dubey JP, Rosenthal BM. Sarcocystis capracanis-associated encephalitis in sheep.. Vet Parasitol 2013 Oct 18;197(1-2):407-8.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.04.026pubmed: 23759304google scholar: lookup
  4. Dubey JP, Streitel RH, Stromberg PC, Toussant MJ. Sarcocystis fayeri sp. n. from the horse.. J Parasitol 1977 Jun;63(3):443-7.
    doi: 10.2307/3279997pubmed: 405467google scholar: lookup
  5. Dubey JP, Calero-Bernal R, Rosenthal BM, Speer CA, Fayer R. Sarcocystosis of animals and humans, 2nd edn.. 2015;pp 249–256.
    doi: 10.1201/b19184google scholar: lookup
  6. Dubey JP, VAN Wilpe E, Verma SK, Hilali M. Ultrastructure of Sarcocystis bertrami sarcocysts from a naturally infected donkey (Equus asinus) from Egypt.. Parasitology 2016 Jan;143(1):18-23.
    doi: 10.1017/S0031182015001432pubmed: 26522448google scholar: lookup
  7. Fayer R, Hounsel C, Giles RC. Chronic illness in a sarcocystis infected pony.. Vet Rec 1983 Sep 3;113(10):216-7.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.113.10.216pubmed: 6415891google scholar: lookup
  8. Fischer S, Odening K. Characterization of bovine Sarcocystis species by analysis of their 18S ribosomal DNA sequences.. J Parasitol 1998 Feb;84(1):50-4.
    doi: 10.2307/3284529pubmed: 9488337google scholar: lookup
  9. Formisano P, Aldridge B, Alony Y, Beekhuis L, Davies E, Del Pozo J, Dunn K, English K, Morrison L, Sargison N, Seguino A, Summers BA, Wilson D, Milne E, Beard PM. Identification of Sarcocystis capracanis in cerebrospinal fluid from sheep with neurological disease.. Vet Parasitol 2013 Mar 31;193(1-3):252-5.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.12.016pubmed: 23312871google scholar: lookup
  10. Gadaev A. On sarcocysts of ass (Equus asinus). Akad Nauk Uzbecks SSR 1978;1:47–48.
  11. Gjerde B. Phylogenetic relationships among Sarcocystis species in cervids, cattle and sheep inferred from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene.. Int J Parasitol 2013 Jun;43(7):579-91.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.02.004pubmed: 23542092google scholar: lookup
  12. Gjerde B. Sarcocystis species in red deer revisited: with a re-description of two known species as Sarcocystis elongata n. sp. and Sarcocystis truncata n. sp. based on mitochondrial cox1 sequences.. Parasitology 2014 Mar;141(3):441-52.
    doi: 10.1017/S0031182013001819pubmed: 24230915google scholar: lookup
  13. Göbel E, Rommel M. Light and electron microscopic study on cysts of Sarcocystis equicanis in the oesophageal musculature of horses. Berl Münch Tierärztl Wschr 1980;93:41–47.
  14. Hinaidy HK, Loupal G. [Sarcocystis bertrami Doflein, 1901, a sarcosporidia of the horse. Equus caballus].. Zentralbl Veterinarmed B 1982 Oct;29(9):681-701.
    doi: 10.1111/J.1439-0450.1982.TB01269.Xpubmed: 6819744google scholar: lookup
  15. Hilali M, Nassar AM. Ultrastructure of Sarcocystis spp. from donkeys (Equus asinus) in Egypt.. Vet Parasitol 1987 Feb;23(3-4):179-83.
    doi: 10.1016/0304-4017(87)90003-3pubmed: 3105164google scholar: lookup
  16. Hu JJ, Chen X, Zuo Y. Ultrastructure of the cyst wall and experimental infectivity of Sarcocystis from donkeys. Chin J Vet Sci 2001;21:145–148.
  17. Hu JJ, Liu TT, Liu Q, Esch GW, Chen JQ, Huang S, Wen T. Prevalence, morphology, and molecular characteristics of Sarcocystis spp. in domestic goats (Capra hircus) from Kunming, China.. Parasitol Res 2016 Oct;115(10):3973-81.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-016-5163-6pubmed: 27289532google scholar: lookup
  18. Kirmse P. Sarcosporidiosis in equines of Morocco.. Br Vet J 1986 Jan-Feb;142(1):70-2.
    doi: 10.1016/0007-1935(86)90011-4pubmed: 3081234google scholar: lookup
  19. Kumar S, Stecher G, Li M, Knyaz C, Tamura K. MEGA X: Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis across Computing Platforms.. Mol Biol Evol 2018 Jun 1;35(6):1547-1549.
    doi: 10.1093/molbev/msy096pubmed: 29722887pmc: 5967553google scholar: lookup
  20. Ma CL, Ye YL, Wen T, Huang ZM, Pan J, Hu JJ, Tao JP, Song JL. Prevalence and morphological and molecular characteristics of Sarcocystis bertrami in horses in China.. Parasite 2020;27:1.
    doi: 10.1051/parasite/2019078pubmed: 31908266pmc: 6945750google scholar: lookup
  21. Matuschka FR. Infectivity of sarcocystis from donkey for horse via sporocysts from dogs.. Z Parasitenkd 1983;69(3):299-304.
    doi: 10.1007/BF00927871pubmed: 6410602google scholar: lookup
  22. Matuschka FR, Schnieder T, Daugschies A, Rommel M. Cyclic transmission of Sarcocystis bertrami by the dog to the horse. Protistologica 1986;22:231–234.
  23. Mugridge NB, Morrison DA, Heckeroth AR, Johnson AM, Tenter AM. Phylogenetic analysis based on full-length large subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequence comparison reveals that Neospora caninum is more closely related to Hammondia heydorni than to Toxoplasma gondii.. Int J Parasitol 1999 Oct;29(10):1545-56.
    doi: 10.1016/S0020-7519(99)00150-2pubmed: 10608441google scholar: lookup
  24. Odening K. The present state of species-systematics in Sarcocystis Lankester, 1882 (Protista, Sporozoa, Coccidia). Syst Parasitol 1998;41:209–233.
    doi: 10.1023/A:1006090232343google scholar: lookup
  25. Odening K, Wesemeier HH, Walter G, Bockhardt I. Ultrastructure of sarcocysts from equids. Acta Parasitol 1995;40:12–20.
  26. Passantino G, Lia RP, Latrofa S, Annoscia G, Šlapeta J, Otranto D, Rossi R, Zizzo N. Sarcocystis bertrami in skeletal muscles of donkeys (Equus africanus asinus) from Southern Italy. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Rep 2019;16:100283.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100283google scholar: lookup
  27. Rommel M, Geisel O. Untersuchungen über die Verbreitung und de Lebenszyklus einer Sarkosporidienart des Pferdes (Sarcocystis equicanis n. spec.). Berl Münch Tierärztl Wschr 1975;88:468–471.
  28. Saville WJ, Dubey JP, Oglesbee MJ, Sofaly CD, Marsh AE, Elitsur E, Vianna MC, Lindsay DS, Reed SM. Experimental infection of ponies with Sarcocystis fayeri and differentiation from Sarcocystis neurona infections in horses.. J Parasitol 2004 Dec;90(6):1487-91.
    doi: 10.1645/GE-313pubmed: 15715250google scholar: lookup
  29. Tinling SP, Cardinet GH 3rd, Blythe LL, Cohen M, Vonderfecht SL. A light and electron microscopic study of sarcocysts in a horse.. J Parasitol 1980 Jun;66(3):458-65.
    doi: 10.2307/3280748pubmed: 6771378google scholar: lookup
  30. 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.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.01.024pubmed: 29559158google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Khan MZ, Li Y, Zhu M, Li M, Wang T, Zhang Z, Liu W, Ma Q, Wang C. Advances in Donkey Disease Surveillance and Microbiome Characterization in China. Microorganisms 2025 Mar 26;13(4).
    doi: 10.3390/microorganisms13040749pubmed: 40284586google scholar: lookup
  2. Šneideris D, Moskaliova D, Butkauskas D, Prakas P. The Distribution of Sarcocsytis Species Described by Ungulates-Canids Life Cycle in Intestines of Small Predators of the Family Mustelidae. Acta Parasitol 2024 Mar;69(1):747-758.
    doi: 10.1007/s11686-024-00814-1pubmed: 38413556google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.