Morphological and molecular characterization of Sarcocystis spp. in pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) from Argentina

Helman, Elisa; Dellarupe, Andrea; Steffen, Kevin Denis; Bernstein, Mariana; Moré, Gastón (2024). Morphological and molecular characterization of Sarcocystis spp. in pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) from Argentina. Parasitology international, 100 Elsevier 10.1016/j.parint.2024.102859

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Sarcocystis spp. are intracellular protozoan parasites with an obligatory heteroxenous life cycle. The objective of
this study was to identify Sarcocystis spp. in pig muscles from Argentina, by light and transmission electron
microscopy (TEM), and molecular studies. Muscles samples from 561 pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) were classified
according to the breeding system in: intensive farming (IF, n = 295; animals kept in confinement during most of
their productive cycle), or semi-extensive farming (SEF, n = 266; animals bred outdoors, generally family or
backyard production). Results showed that 24.8% (139/561) were positive by light microscopy, with a significantly
higher prevalence in the SEF (34.6%; 92/266) than the IF pigs (15.9%; 47/295) (p < 0.05). Of the 202
samples analyzed by PCR, 96 were positive (47.5%) for the 18S rRNA (18S ribosomal RNA) fragment. All samples
analyzed by the S. suihominis specific coxI (mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) PCR (n = 235; 96
positives by 18S rRNA PCR and 139 positives by light microscopy) were negative. Fourteen individual cysts were
positive for the 18S rRNA PCR and sequenced. Consensus sequences obtained from the 18S rRNA fragment PCR
ranged from 613 to 880 bp and showed 100% of identity between them and with previously reported
S. miescheriana sequences. In all the pig samples analyzed by TEM, cyst wall ultrastructure was compatible with
S. miescheriana. This is the first study that provides infection rates and describes and identifies morphological and
molecular features of Sarcocystis spp. cysts in pigs from Argentina.

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