Bruna Marquardt Lucio1, Camila Encarnação Minuzzi2, Nícolas Carmo de Avila1, Luís Antonio Scalabrin Tondo1, Fernanda Silveira Flores Vogel2, Glaucia Denise Kommers1, Fagner D'ambroso Fernandes2, Clândio Timm Marques3, Mariana Martins Flores4. 1. Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária (LPV), Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Roraima avenue, 1000, prédio 74-B, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil. 2. Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias (LADOPAR), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Roraima avenue, 1000, prédio 44, sala 5139, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil. 3. Universidade Franciscana (UFN), Silva Jardim street, 1175, Santa Maria, RS, 97010-491, Brazil. 4. Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária (LPV), Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Roraima avenue, 1000, prédio 74-B, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil. marianamflores@yahoo.com.br.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Despite of classically acting as definitive hosts of different Sarcocystis species, domestic cats have been pointed out as possible intermediate hosts of S. neurona and S. felis. Nonetheless, details concerning natural sarcocyst development in cats without Sarcocystis-associated disease are scarce. This study aimed to characterize the natural occurrence of muscular sarcocysts in a random group of cats submitted for necropsy. METHODS: One hundred cats necropsied at a Veterinary Pathology Service were included. Nine different muscular tissues from each cat were sampled for histological analysis and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using multispecies primers for Sarcocystis neurona, Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. PCR-positive cases were sequenced for genus and species identification. Epidemiologic data was also analyzed. RESULTS: Tissue sarcocysts were identified in hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides from five cats, and S. neurona was the only confirmed species. Multifocal sarcocysts affecting two or more muscles were common among positive cats (4/5). Sarcocysts were identified within vastus lateralis (3/5), intercostal (3/5), subscapular (2/5) and diaphragm (2/5) sections. These cysts were always incidental necropsy findings. All sarcocyst-positive cats were from urban areas, among which two were feral and three were pets. Outdoor access was consistently reported. Two cats were positive for retrovirosis, and treatments with potentially immunosuppressive drugs were never stated. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the natural occurrence of S. neurona muscular sarcocysts in a random group of cats without Sarcocystis-associated disease. These findings reinforce the participation of feral and pet cats from urban areas as natural intermediate hosts of S. neurona.
PURPOSE: Despite of classically acting as definitive hosts of different Sarcocystis species, domestic cats have been pointed out as possible intermediate hosts of S. neurona and S. felis. Nonetheless, details concerning natural sarcocyst development in cats without Sarcocystis-associated disease are scarce. This study aimed to characterize the natural occurrence of muscular sarcocysts in a random group of cats submitted for necropsy. METHODS: One hundred cats necropsied at a Veterinary Pathology Service were included. Nine different muscular tissues from each cat were sampled for histological analysis and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using multispecies primers for Sarcocystis neurona, Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. PCR-positive cases were sequenced for genus and species identification. Epidemiologic data was also analyzed. RESULTS: Tissue sarcocysts were identified in hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides from five cats, and S. neurona was the only confirmed species. Multifocal sarcocysts affecting two or more muscles were common among positive cats (4/5). Sarcocysts were identified within vastus lateralis (3/5), intercostal (3/5), subscapular (2/5) and diaphragm (2/5) sections. These cysts were always incidental necropsy findings. All sarcocyst-positive cats were from urban areas, among which two were feral and three were pets. Outdoor access was consistently reported. Two cats were positive for retrovirosis, and treatments with potentially immunosuppressive drugs were never stated. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the natural occurrence of S. neurona muscular sarcocysts in a random group of cats without Sarcocystis-associated disease. These findings reinforce the participation of feral and pet cats from urban areas as natural intermediate hosts of S. neurona.
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