Identification of <i>Sarcocystis</i> spp. in Slaughtered Sheep from Spain and Evaluation of Bradyzoite Viability after Freezing

oleh: María Paz Peris, María Jesús Gracia, Bernardino Moreno, Paula Juan-Puente, Mariano Morales, María Serrano, María Dolores Manzano, Nabil Halaihel, Juan Badiola, Juan Antonio Castillo

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2024-02-01

Deskripsi

<i>Sarcocystis</i> spp. are complex apicomplexan parasites that cause a substantial economic impact on livestock used for meat production. These parasites are present worldwide. Our study aimed to identify <i>Sarcocystis</i> species affecting sheep meat in southern–central Spain and to evaluate the effectiveness of freezing for parasite inactivation. A total of 210 condemned samples of sheep meat were thoroughly assessed grossly and microscopically; the presence of macro- and microcysts was confirmed. The samples were then frozen at −20 °C for various time intervals (24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 h) and compared with untreated samples. Bradyzoites were isolated through pepsin digestion for subsequent molecular analysis and viability assessment, employing trypan blue and double fluorescence staining techniques. Our measurements confirmed the presence of <i>S. tenella</i>, <i>S. gigantea</i>, and <i>S. medusiformis</i> in Spanish domestic sheep. Freezing for 96 to 144 h resulted in a significant reduction in parasite viability, with a robust correlation observed between the two staining methods. Both stains effectively measured the viability of <i>Sarcocystis</i>, thereby promising future advances in meat safety.