PARASITES TRANSMITTED TO HUMAN BY INGESTION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEAT, EL-MINIA CITY, EL-MINIA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT.

Meat-borne parasites are Sarcocystis species, Toxoplasma gondii, Taenia saginata, Taenia solium and Trichinella spiralis. A total of 300 animals including 100 cattle, 100 goat, and 100 pigs, slaughtered in El-Minia governmental slaughterhouses. From each animal, five samples were taken from different muscles (esophageal, tongue and cardiac) and different organs (liver and brain). Meat samples were examined macroscopic and microscopic (direct, homogenization and H&E staining) for detection of the above-mentioned parasites. Serum samples were subjected to IHA for detection of T gondii specific antibodies. This study revealed that Sarcocystis species were the highest parasites that could be detected, with overall prevalence of 80%, which was statistically significant (P < or = 0.001). The digestion method was more sensitive than direct method for detection of Sarcocystis species. On the other hand, T. gondii was only diagnosed by using IHA test as 50.9% serum samples were positive, which was statistically significant (P < or = 0.004). Besides, 20% of examined battle were infected by Cysticercus bovis, and 12% of pigs were infected with C. cellulosae, but without statistical significant (P < or = 0.5).