The Incidence of Sarcocystis in Slaughtered Food Animals

Abstract

Sarcocystis affects the meat quality, rendering meat unmarketable and unacceptable to consumers. In the present study, total (2000) Slaughtered animals were examined during P.M inspection then the Macroscopic and Microscopic examinations were done for detection of Sarcocystis followed by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in El-Basateen automated abattoir in Cairo, Egypt. With special references to species, age, and sex of slaughtered animals, our study revealed that the higher incidence (macroscopic and microscopic) in old buffaloes (48.6%-63.2%) than young ones (41.2-53.8%), respectively followed by cattle, sheep finally camel. In addition to the higher incidence (macroscopic and microscopic) in female buffaloes (25.8%-36.2%) than male ones (37%-49.6%), respectively followed by cattle, camel finally sheep. The PCR confirmed the presence of Sarcocystis in examined samples. SO that, the work recommended that Using of Microscopic examination and PCR for detection and confirmation of Sarcocystosis in abattoirs to avoid animals and human infections with such zoonotic parasite.