Apicomplexan Sarcocystis and Trichinella nematodes are food-borne parasites whose life cycle is carried-out in various wildlife domestic animals. The gray wolf (Canis lupus) an apex predator acting as ecosystem engineer. This study aimed to identify the species of found muscles wolves Lithuania. During 2017–2022 period, diaphragm, heart, hind leg samples 15 animals were examined. Microscopical analysis showed presence two types 26.7% analyzed muscle samples. Based on sequencing five loci,...

Representatives of the genus Sarcocystis are worldwide distributed apicomplexan parasites characterised by two-host prey-predator relationships. spp. produce sarcocysts in muscles and brains intermediate hosts develop sporocysts intestines definitive hosts. Two species, glareoli microti, previously assigned to Frenkelia, form cysts rodents transmitted through common buzzard (Buteo buteo). In our study, brain samples 694 small mammals caught different regions Lithuania were examined for...

Abstract Background Six Sarcocystis species are known to use cattle ( Bos taurus ) as the intermediate host, two of which, S . hominis and heydorni , zoonotic. There is a need for method that will enable rapid identification in cattle. Methods The diaphragm muscles 102 from Lithuania were examined presence spp., using different methods identification. Individual sarcocysts isolated squash preparations muscle under light microscope, followed by genetic characterisation excised cysts sequence...

The genus Sarcocystis is an abundant group of Apicomplexa parasites found in mammals, birds, and reptiles. These are characterised by the formation sarcocysts muscles intermediate hosts development sporocysts intestines definitive hosts. identification spp. usually carried out carcasses animals, while there a lack studies on detection species blood samples. In current study, samples 214 yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis) 143 bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) from Lithuania were...

Background Sarcocystis includes a global group of apicomplexan parasites with two-host life cycle frequently circulating in wildlife and domestic hosts, including humans. Two the most important wild terrestrial carnivores acting as definitive hosts are red fox raccoon dog, due to their wide distribution Europe usage farmed animals prey. This study was conducted determine prevalence hunted foxes dogs from nine regions Czech Republic identify isolated sporocysts by molecular techniques....

Most raptors are flagship and umbrella species acting as ecosystem engineers. Research on avian parasites in is therefore of interest. There a lack studies Sarcocystis naturally infected raptors. In the present work, we aimed to identify spp. intestinal scrapings from Spain. were identified 82.5% samples studied by nested PCR sequencing partial ITS1 region 28S rRNA. A total nine known species, S. arctica, columbae, cornixi, glareoli, halieti, kutkienae, cf strixi, turdusi, sp. ex Corvus...

Previous studies showed that the Eurasian sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus (Linnaeus, 1758) acts as definitive host of Sarcocystis halieti (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) Gjerde, Vikøren et Hamnes, 2017. Herein, we report macrocysts S. in pectoral muscle a Sparrowhawk west Iran. Between September 2019 and December 2023, total 55 wild birds belonging to 8 orders, 9 families, 18 genera, 21 species were examined Hamedan province, western In one sparrowhawk, macroscopic cysts resembling rice grains...

Abstract Background The cyst-forming coccidia of the genus Sarcocystis (Sarcocystidae) are widespread protists mammals, particularly domestic and wild ruminants. Research on in members subfamily Caprinae is, however, rather limited. Alpine ibex ( Capra ) have only been investigated depth once then solely by morphological techniques. In current investigation we aimed to morphologically genetically characterise species Austria. Methods Sarcocysts detected diaphragm myocardium muscles were...

Sarcocystis parasites infect a wide range of animals, including reptiles, birds, and mammals, have complex two-host prey–predator life cycle. Sarcocysts are mainly found in the muscles intermediate hosts, oocysts sporulate intestines definitive host. The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), native to Asia invasive Europe, is known disease carrier. However, studies on dogs transmission scarce. Between 2019 2024, total 26 carcasses were collected Lithuania. results light microscopy...

The representatives of the genus Sarcocystis are cyst forming coccidian protozoa parasites broadly prevalent in mammals, birds and reptiles. characterized by an obligatory prey-predator two-host life cycle. Currently, over 220 species known. Some pathogenic organisms dangerous to humans, domestic wild animals. A harmful effect mainly occurs intermediate hosts depends on parasite, infection intensity localization body. In Lithuania, sarcocysts rodents, even-toed ungulates were studied....

Birds of the family Laridae have not been intensively examined for infections with Sarcocystis spp. To date, sarcocysts two species, S. lari and wobeseri, identified in muscles gulls. The aim present study was to evaluate species richness herring gull, Larus argentatus, from Lithuania.In period between 2013 2019, leg 35 gulls were characterised morphologically based on a light microscopy study. Four isolated each infected bird subjected further molecular examination. by means ITS1 sequence...

Members of the family Corvidae are ecologically flexible omnivorous birds, particularly adaptive to urban habitats, and living in proximity humans; these birds may serve as definitive hosts (DH) for Sarcocystis spp., but research about this is lacking. In present study, intestinal samples from 91 corvids collected Lithuania were molecularly tested by species-specific PCR targeting ITS1 cox1 genes subsequently sequenced presence spp. Under a light microscope, oocysts observed 43 (47.3%),...

The genus Sarcocystis is a group of numerous protozoan parasites having two-host life cycle. Based on laboratory experiments and/or phylogenetic analysis results it was shown that seven spp. producing sarcocsyts in bird tissues are transmitted via predatory placental mammals. To date the role small mammals family Mustelidae distribution avian have not been studied. During current investigation, intestinal mucosa scrapings 115 mustelids belonging to five species were tested for S. albifronsi,...

Contradictory data is available on the intermediate host specificity of Sarcocystis spp. in farm animals. Therefore, current work aimed at molecularly testing samples sheep and goats reared Lithuania to identify species described other hosts but suspected be non-canonical parasites these small ruminants. For this purpose, muscle from 47 domestic nine were examined. identified using direct nested PCR targeting cox1 sequencing positive amplified products. Along with detection canonical their...

Typically, carnivores serve as definitive hosts for Sarcocystis spp. parasites; currently, their role intermediate is being elucidated. The present study aimed to identify and molecularly characterize cysts detected in striated muscle of red foxes from different populations Latvia, Lithuania Spain. Muscle samples 411 (Vulpes vulpes) 269 racoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) 41 22 Spain were examined the presence sarcocysts by light microscopy (LM). identified transmission electron (TEM)...

Data on the distribution of different Sarcocystis species in various muscles sheep are scarce. In present study, 190 diaphragm, oesophagus, and heart muscle samples 69 raised Lithuania were examined for presence spp. Under a light microscope, two morphological types microcysts corresponding to S. arieticanis tenella detected. Eight 12 sarcocysts tenella, respectively, isolated characterised by sequencing portion cox1. The sequence comparisons revealed highest similarity between European...

The present study aimed to test intestinal scrapings of the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) and Eurasian Sparrowhawk nisus) from Lithuania for S. calchasi other Sarcocystis species characterised by bird-bird life cycles. protozoan parasite can cause respiratory neurological diseases in a variety birds; however, distribution this is not well-examined. were identified with nested PCR sequencing partial ITS1 region. Sporocysts and/or sporulated oocysts spp. observed 16 (100%) Goshawks 9...