The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is an intermediate host for Sarcocystis neurona.
Abstract: The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is an intermediate host of at least three species of Sarcocystis, Sarcocystis dasypi, Sarcocystis diminuta, and an unidentified species; however, life cycles of these species have not been determined. Following feeding of armadillo muscles containing sarcocysts to the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), the opossums shed sporulated Sarcocystis sporocysts in their faeces. Mean dimensions for sporocysts were 11.0x7.5 microm and each contained four sporozoites and a residual body. Sporocysts were identified as Sarcocystis neurona using PCR and DNA sequencing. A 2-month-old foal that was negative for S. neurona antibodies in the CSF was orally inoculated with 5x10(5) sporocysts. At 4 weeks post-infection, the foal had a 'low positive' result by immunoblot for CSF antibodies to S. neurona and by week 6 had a 'strong positive' CSF result and developed an abnormal gait with proprioceptive deficits and ataxia in all four limbs. Based on the results of this study, the nine-banded armadillo is an intermediate host of S. neurona.
Publication Date: 2001-04-18 PubMed ID: 11306111DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7519(01)00177-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
Summary
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The research article validates that the nine-banded armadillo is an intermediate host for the parasite, Sarcocystis neurona. Armadillos hosting this parasite contribute to its cycle of transmission, impacting other creatures that feed on the armadillo and potentially causing negative neurological symptoms as observed in a two-month-old foal.
About the Research
- This study was carried out to determine the life cycles of three species of Sarcocystis parasites that take residence within the nine-banded armadillo, namely Sarcocystis dasypi, Sarcocystis diminuta, and an unidentified species.
- Part of the study involved feeding armadillo muscles containing sarcocysts (the specific form that these parasites take within the host) to the Virginia opossum, to observe the fecal spread of sporulated S. neurona sporocysts (yet another form the parasite assumes).
- Sporocysts within the faeces were measured, observed and identified via PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and DNA sequencing, a clinical method for identifying the genetic profile of an organism, demonstrating that they were indeed S. neurona.
Impact of the Findings
- A key part of the study involved orally inoculating a 2-month-old foal that tested negative for S. neurona antibodies with 5×10^5 sporocysts. By the fourth week post-infection, the foal exhibited ‘low positive’ CSF antibodies to S. neurona, demonstrating the presence of active infection.
- By the sixth week, the foal developed a ‘strong positive’ CSF result, indicating a strong immune response to the infection. Observable symptoms included abnormal gait with proprioceptive deficits and ataxia in all four limbs.
- The research affirms the detrimental impact that S. neurona can have on other creatures through the transmission cycle involving the nine-banded armadillo.
Concluding Remarks
- Based on the results of this study, the researchers were able to determine that the nine-banded armadillo is an intermediate host of S. neurona, thereby enabling its life cycle and potential transmission to other subject animals.
- This study is crucial for understanding the parasite’s life cycle, its transmission mechanisms, and potentially devising suitable control measures to prevent transmission to creatures susceptible to infection.
- The research also aids in further understanding the role of the armadillo among other animal species in the transmission of diseases and parasites, contributing to the broader field of parasitology and its potential impact on both wildlife and livestock management.
Cite This Article
APA
Cheadle MA, Tanhauser SM, Dame JB, Sellon DC, Hines M, Ginn PE, MacKay RJ, Greiner EC.
(2001).
The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is an intermediate host for Sarcocystis neurona.
Int J Parasitol, 31(4), 330-335.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0020-7519(01)00177-1 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Avenue, Gainesville, FL32610-0880, USA. cheadlem@mail.vetmed.ufl.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Protozoan / cerebrospinal fluid
- Armadillos / parasitology
- DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
- DNA, Protozoan / isolation & purification
- Feces / parasitology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horse Diseases / transmission
- Horses
- Host-Parasite Interactions / physiology
- Male
- Microscopy, Electron / veterinary
- Muscle, Skeletal / parasitology
- Muscle, Skeletal / ultrastructure
- Opossums / parasitology
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
- Sarcocystis / chemistry
- Sarcocystis / genetics
- Sarcocystis / physiology
- Sarcocystosis / transmission
- Sarcocystosis / veterinary
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
Grant Funding
- Y02-AI-5015-01 / NIAID NIH HHS
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