Januškevičienė, Gražina

The exact prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. infection in animals slaughtered for food is unknown in Lithuania. Therefore, the present study was initiated to evaluate Sarcocystis spp. infection in the carcasses of cattle (n = 206), sheep (n = 61), pigs (n = 73) and horses (n = 72) raised in Lithuania for food. The prevalence and intensity of Sarcocystis spp. infection were assessed under light microscopy by analysing 1 g of stained and squashed muscle samples. All the investigated muscle types (oesophagus, diaphragm, heart, neck, jaw, back, leg and tongue) were found to have been infected with microcysts rather than with macrocysts. A high prevalence of infection was established in cattle (44.9–98.1%) and sheep (100%), whereas the prevalence of this infection in pigs (30.1–50.0%) and horses (34.7–63.9%) was considered to be moderate. Significant differences in the infection prevalence were detected in the majority of muscle groups of cattle and in some muscle groups of pigs and horses. Similarly, significant differences in the median (Md) intensity of infection were observed in the majority of the muscle groups of cattle (Md = 4–29) and sheep (Md = 21–73) and only in some muscle groups of pigs (Md = 4.5–16) and horses (Md = 1–3). Cases of intense infection (> 40 cysts in a sample) were relatively often detected in sheep (44.9%) and cattle (19.1%), and rarely in pigs (3.7%). Hence, based on the varying rates of infection in the examined samples, the infection was identified as being intense in sheep and cattle, moderate in pigs and low in horses.

The aim of this study was to determine the biochemical blood indicators in Lithuanian Black-and-White cattle with regard to the intensity of their infection with Sarcocystis spp. In total 945 bull muscle samples and 120 blood samples were used for the analysis. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were increased in infected animals relative to uninfected animals. The AST levels differed significantly between the no infection, low, and moderate infection groups (P < 0.05); ALP differed between the no infection and moderate infection groups (P < 0.05); and ALT differed between the no infection, low infection and intense infection groups (P < 0.05). Total protein levels were higher than physiological limits and differed significantly between the no infection, low infection and intense infection groups (P < 0.05). Iron levels were at the lowest physiological limits and differed significantly between the no infection and low infection groups, as well as between the low infection and intense infection groups (P < 0.05). Triglyceride levels were at their physiological limits, and differed significantly between all examined groups (P < 0.05). The results show that changes in the biochemical markers ALP, AST and ALT are related to the intensity of the Sarcocystis spp. infection.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible harmful effect of Sarcocystis parasites on bovine diaphragm meat quality. Meat samples were collected from 120 bulls aged 20–24 months. Meat quality was investigated using microbiological and physico-chemical (RP-HPLC, GC) methods 48 hours after slaughter. Sarcocystis infection was associated with increased fat content, lightness L* and drip loss, and decreased ash and protein percentages. Infection also had a significant effect on the amount of amino acids (AAs), which slowly decreased as the number of sarcocysts increased. The total amount of AAs correlated with glutamic acid content (R = 0.966, P < 0.05). Heavily infected samples contained significantly lower amounts of putrescine, histamine, spermine and spermidine (P < 0.05) and a noticeable increase in the total count of aerobic microorganisms, but no change in the numbers of E. coli and coliform bacteria in comparison with no infected samples. Sarcocysts in beef diaphragms did not cause serious changes in the technological quality of the meat, but the biological quality of infected meat was reduced.

Recent investigations have shown that the intensity of Sarcocystis infection in game animals used for food is high and in some countries even exceeds 90%. Sarcosporidia found in the muscle tissue of domestic and wild animals pose a potential risk to humans. Therefore, their investigations are rather important. Infection with Sarcosporidia (Sarcocystis spp.) cysts was evaluated in the main species of wild animals used for food: elks (n=27), red deer (n=54), sika deer (n=45), roe (n=36), and wild boars (n=127). Sarcocystis cysts were found in all examined groups of muscles: esophagus, diaphragm, heart, neck, mandible, dorsum and leg. Depending on the animal species and examined groups of muscles, the prevalence of infection, determined microscopically in 1,279 muscle samples by compression slide method using methylene blue as an indicator dye, ranged from 46.43% to 100.0%.

Recent investigations have shown that the intensity of Sarcocystis infection in game animals used for food is high and in some countries even exceeds 90%. Sarcosporidia found in the muscle tissue of domestic and wild animals pose a potential risk to humans. Therefore, their investigations are rather important. Infection with Sarcosporidia (Sarcocystis spp.) cysts was evaluated in the main species of wild animals used for food: elks (n = 27), red deer (n = 54), sika deer (n = 45), roe (n = 36), and wild boars (n = 127). Sarcocystis cysts were found in all examined groups of muscles: esophagus, diaphragm, heart, neck, mandible, dorsum and leg. Depending on the animal species and examined groups of muscles, the prevalence of infection, determined microscopically in 1,279 muscle samples by compression slide method using methylene blue as an indicator dye, ranged from 46.43% to 100.0%.

Some Sarcocystis species are important pathogens of humans, domestic and wild animals. In different countries some research results confirmed the high prevalence of Sarcocystis in cattle. The studies of sarcocystosis infection in domestic and wild animals are very important because of their potential threat to humans. In the absence of accurate (uniform) criteria for assessing cattle Sarcocystosis infection intensity it is not able to make an objective veterinary sanitation evaluation of slaughter products. The sarcocystosis monitoring , searching, collecting and systematizing new diagnostic methods information about Sarcocystis prevalence of foodproducing animals, it is possible to create food products list that pose a risk to human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate blood enzyme assay suitability for diagnose, monitoring and data collection of spontaneous cattle sarcocystosis. Materials and Methods. Meat and blood samples were collected and examined in 2015 – 2016. Sarcosporidiosis infection was evaluated in 20–24 months of Lithuanian Black-and-White cattle bulls. Sarcocysts were diagnosed by means of the compressor-microscopic method. The samples were conditionally divided into 4 groups by the number of sarcocysts in 28 oat-size muscle sections, i.e. 0 cysts – no infection; 1-10 cysts – low infection; 11–40 cysts – moderate infection; > 40 cysts – intense infection. Biochemical blood tests were performed with automated computerized biochemistry analyser SELECTRA Junior (Netherlands, 2006). Biochemical tests were performed using Spinreact (Spain) reagents. Amounts of urea, GOT (AST – aspartate aminotransferase), GPT (ALT – alanine aminotransferase), alkaline phosphatase, iron, creatinine, triglycerides and total protein were determined in the bull, s blood serum. Results. GPT and ALP levels in all examined bull groups with different sarcocystosis infection were higher than the upper ph

В данной статье даны сведения о саркоцистозе, а также обобщены результаты микроско- пических исследований проб жевательных мышц и диафрагмы, изучены интенсивность и экстен- сивность инвазии в 1 грамме мышечной ткани у крупного рогатого скота и свиней. Установлено снижение качества и питательной ценности мяса,пораженныхсаркоцистами мышечной ткани хозяина. При интенсивном развитии животноводства своевременное изучение распространения и про- ведение диагностики зоонозных болезнейи охраны общественного здоровьялюдей от попадания в пищу возбудителей саркоцистозаявляется залогом отзаражения человека и животных. Паразитирующиевиды родаSarcocystisspp. были выбраны в качестве объекта исследований из- за сомнений, вызываемых этим заболеванием. Привычка разных слоев населения употреблять в пи- щу мясо и мясные продукты без тепловой обработки, вынудили некоторых ученых отнести Sarcocystisssp. к потенциальным зоонотическим факторам риска для потребителей [1,с.105-108]. Sarcocystis suihominisиSarcocystis hominisразвиваютсяв кишечнике и вызываютнекоторые недомога- ниячеловека[2]. Эта инфекция вызывает у чело

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sarcocystosis on the quality and safety parameters of beef meat. Sarcosporidiosis infection was evaluated in 18-24 months bulls, growned and slaughtered in Lithuania. Light microscopy method showed sarcocystosis in 98 proc. bull muscles. The samples were stored for the period of 5 days at 4.0±0.5 °C temperature at aerobic conditions. After 1 day formaline reaction, peroxidase reaction, pH24 was within the normal range either in low and high infection case. The number of coliform bacteria, pH and count of biogenic amines were determined in the meat after 1 and 5 days of storage. The amount of biogenic amines was far below the levels causing any health risk. It was determined lower biogenic amines amount in high infection case, except putrescine, compearing with low infection case. The average of total biogenic amines amount in low infection case was 78.12±0.25 mg kg-1, witch is 1.7 times more than in high infection case. That could cause higher coliform bacteria count in low infection case, than in high infection case. The amount of coliform bacteria low infection case was determined 2.47∙106 CFU g-1, the amount of coliform bacteria high infection case was determined – 5.16∙10 6 CFU g-1 respectively.

Pastaraisiais metais rinkoje gausėja mėsos produktų asortimentas, auga kokybiškos produkcijos paklausa. Histomorfologinis tyrimas leidžia nustatyti žaliavos ir produkcijos sudėtį, struktūrą, įvairius priedus, falsifikavimo atvejus.

Zoonozės – tai gyvūnams ir žmonėms bendros ligos, kuriomis užsikrečiama tiesiogiai arba netiesiogiai. Priskaičiuojama daugiau kaip 2 tokių ligų, tarp kurių – ir sarkocistozė.