title: Prevalence of Muscular Sarcosporidiosis in Slaughtered Domestic Pigs in Perak, Peninsular Malaysia.
abstract: Sarcosporidiosis is a disease caused by intracellular protozoan parasites, namely,Sarcocystisspp. In pigs, three species ofSarcocystisspp. have been recognised, includingSarcocystis meischeriana,Sarcocystis porcifelisandSarcocystis suihominis. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of muscular sarcosporidiosis in pigs using the pepsin digestion technique. A total of 150 fresh heart, oesophagus and thigh muscle samples from 50 Yorkshire and Landrace pigs were collected from two local abattoirs in Perak from May to August 2014. All the fresh muscle samples were thoroughly examined for macrocyst-formingSarcocystisspp. and processed using the peptic digestion technique to detect bradyzoites. The results from the muscle samples showed that 58% (29 out of 50) of the pigs were positive forSarcocystisspp. These findings highlight the importance of implementing stringent measures for screening pigs in abattoirs forSarcocystisspp. infection because this infection in pigs is a public health concern.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Research Institute, Department of Veterinary Services, 59, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Fazly Ann
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Zainalabidin
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Research Institute, Department of Veterinary Services, 59, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Muhamad Syamsul Naim
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Noorazmi
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Research Institute, Department of Veterinary Services, 59, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Wan Normaziah Wan Omar
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Bakri
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Research Institute, Department of Veterinary Services, 59, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Geethamalar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sathaya
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Research Institute, Department of Veterinary Services, 59, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mohd Iswadi
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Ismail
keywords: Bradyzoites; Muscle; Peptic Digestion; Pigs; Sarcocystis