Molecular Identification of Sarcocystis spp. in Sheep and Cattle by PCR-RFLP from Southwest of Iran

[Background]Sarcocystis species are obligatory intracellular parasites of many vertebrate hosts. Some pathogen species cause major economic loss and hygienic problems in the animal and human population, respectively.[Objectives]The goal of the current study was conducted to identify Sarcocystis species in meat-producer animals and to evaluate the risk of transmission of parasites after consumption of infected meat by humans.[Methods]Fifty samples of sheep and cattle muscles were collected from the abattoir. The samples were collected from the heart, tongue, diaphragm, and skeletal muscles. The PCR method was used for amplifying the 18S ribosomal RNA gene for distinguish Sarcocystis species using 2 primers and 3 restricted enzymes including Hinf, Mbo1, and EcoR1.[Results]The results showed that all cattle samples were infected by Sarcocystiscruzi (100%) and sheep samples were contaminated by S. tenella (80%) as well as S. capracanis (20%). No human Sarcocystis species were detected.[Conclusions]Meat-producer animals are infected by S. cruzi as well as S. tenella and the consumption of infected meat is not important for human sarcocystosis in this area.