title: Sarcocystis-infection of cattle in Hungary.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reports on Sarcocystis-infection of cattle are outdated or lacking in many European countries, including those in the Central-Eastern part of the continent. Therefore, to assess the prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. among bovids in Hungary, a countrywide survey was initiated. In addition, fulminant deaths of four cattle, that showed clinical signs and post mortem lesions resembling acute sarcocystiosis ("Dalmeny disease"), were investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the countrywide survey individual heart and oesophagus samples were collected at slaughterhouses from 151 beef cattle and from 15 buffalo, kept in 31 places of Hungary. Analysis for Sarcocystis spp. was carried out with conventional PCRs for the 18S rDNA gene and gel electrophoresis, followed by sequencing of 36 strongly positive samples. Mortality cases were evaluated by histological, molecular, bacteriological and virological analyses of samples from various organs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among slaughtered cattle the rate of Sarcocystis-infection was 66%. S. cruzi was identified as the most prevalent species in aurochs-like breed, and the zoonotic S. hominis in Hungarian grey cattle. Concerning the sudden deaths of cattle, Sarcocystis-infection could not be demonstrated in organs showing haemorrhages, but S. cruzi cysts were present in the muscles. In one case "S. sinensis" was molecularly identified in the blood (indicating sarcocystaemia). Results of analyses for bacterial/viral pathogens were negative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  S. cruzi appears to be the most prevalent Sarcocystis sp. in cattle in Hungary, followed by the zoonotic S. hominis. However, the rate of infection with both species was shown to differ between cattle breeds. The suspected role of Sarcocystis spp. as causative agents of the fatal cases could not be confirmed.
authors: Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary. Hornok.Sandor@aotk.szie.hu.
authors: Sándor
authors: S
authors: Hornok
authors: Veterinary Clinic, Mester tanya, Bátonyterenye, Hungary. mestervet@gmail.com.
authors: Anita
authors: A
authors: Mester
authors: Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary. Takacs.Nora@aotk.szie.hu.
authors: Nóra
authors: N
authors: Takács
authors: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary. Baska.Ferenc@aotk.szie.hu.
authors: Ferenc
authors: F
authors: Baska
authors: Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary. Majoros.Gabor@aotk.szie.hu.
authors: Gábor
authors: G
authors: Majoros
authors: Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary. Fok.Eva@aotk.szie.hu.
authors: Éva
authors: É
authors: Fok
authors: Department and Clinic for Production Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Üllő, Hungary. Biksi.Imre@aotk.szie.hu.
authors: Imre
authors: I
authors: Biksi
authors: Department and Clinic for Production Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Üllő, Hungary. Nemet.Zoltan@aotk.szie.hu.
authors: Zoltán
authors: Z
authors: Német
authors: Laboratory of Virology, Veterinary Diagnostic Directorate of National Food Chain Safety Office, Budapest, Hungary. HornyakAk@nebih.gov.hu.
authors: Ákos
authors: Á
authors: Hornyák
authors: Department of Bacteriology, Veterinary Diagnostic Directorate of National Food Chain Safety Office, Budapest, Hungary. JanosiSz@nebih.gov.hu.
authors: Szilárd
authors: S
authors: Jánosi
authors: Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary. Robert.Farkas@aotk.szie.hu.
authors: Róbert
authors: R
authors: Farkas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002020:Buffaloes; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012522:Sarcocystis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D012523:Sarcocystosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*
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