Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Journal of Parasitic Diseases: Official Organ of the Indian Society for Parasitology logoLink to Journal of Parasitic Diseases: Official Organ of the Indian Society for Parasitology
. 2016 Sep 23;41(2):476–482. doi: 10.1007/s12639-016-0832-z

Prevalence and microscopic studies of Sarcocystis infection in naturally infected water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) of Andhra Pradesh

Ch JyothiSree 1,4,✉, R Venu 2, V Samatha 3, P Malakondaiah 1, V C Rayulu 2
PMCID: PMC5447609  PMID: 28615863

Abstract

Sarcocystis species are the obligate tissue protozoan parasites of livestock causing clinical and subclinical disease resulting in downgrading of the meat and their products thereby leading to economic losses. The present study reveals the prevalence and distribution of sarcocystosis in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) slaughtered at local abattoirs in A.P for a period of 1 year from June 2014 to May 2015. A total of 137 buffalo carcasses were screened grossly and microscopically organ wise viz., esophagus, tongue, heart, diaphragm and intercostal muscles. Out of 137 screened, 91 were infected with an overall prevalence of 66.42 %. Age wise analysis of 89 young male calves aged about 18–36 months old revealed 65.16 % (58/89) and 48 old she buffaloes (5–8 years) showed 68.75 % (33/48). The organ wise prevalence was highest in esophagus (51.82 %) followed by tongue (47.44 %), heart (29.92 %), diaphragmatic muscles (28.46 %) and intercostal muscles (18.24 %), respectively. Morphometric studies revealed the presence of two Sarcocystis species, i.e., S.levinei and S.fusiformis infection with a prevalence of 43.79 and 22.62 %, respectively, along with mixed infection rate of 43.06 %. Microscopic studies of S.levinei showed sarcocyst length/width/cyst wall thickness ranged between 0.31–0.69/0.09–0.12 mm/<1 µm, respectively, and bradyzoites with an average of 6.25 µm length/2.5 µm width. Similarly, S.fusiformis cyst ranged between 2 and 8.5 mm/1–3 mm/2–5 µm and bradyzoites with an average of 10 µm length/2.5 µm width. The histopathological studies revealed congestion and degenerative changes of myocytes along with infiltration of mononuclear cells.

Keywords: Buffaloes, Sarcocystosis, Prevalence, Microscopic studies

Introduction

Sarcocystosis is caused by a tissue cyst forming coccidian protozoan parasite with a wide geographic distribution and a wide host range affecting wild and domesticated animals as well (Abu-Elwafa et al. 2015). The protozoan parasite has an obligatory prey–predator two host life cycle with carnivores (Dogs and Cats) as definitive hosts and herbivores and omnivores as an intermediate hosts (Juyal and Bhatia 1989). Each host in turn may harbor more than one Sarcocystis species at a time (Dubey et al. 1989). In ruminants, this infection characteristically causes subclinical and chronic infections in striated muscles by forming macrocyst or microcyst (AI-Hyali et al. 2011). Esophagus, heart, tongue, diaphragm and intercostal muscles are most common preferred organs in this infection in cattle and buffaloes which can persist throughout life in the host but may start to disappear after 3 months of infection.

Diagnosis of Sarcocystis infection is mostly possible during necropsy only as the disease runs either sub-clinical and chronic course characterized predominantly by reduced weight gain, poor feed efficiency, anorexia, fever, anemia, abortions, muscle weakness, reduced milk yield and even death in heavy infection in the intermediate host (Dubey et al. 1989). Epidemiological studies of Sarcocystosis in different domestic animals from various parts of the India (Shah 1983) revealed that the infection is very common in adult buffaloes, attributable to some Sarcocystis species (Dubey et al. 1989). Four species of Sarcocystis have been reported in the water buffaloes S.fusiformis, S.buffalonis, S.leveinei and S.dubeyi (Dissanaike and Kan 1978; Huong et al. 1997; Huong and Uggla 1999; Huong 1999a, b; Dubey et al. 2014). S.fusiformis (Dubey et al. 1989) and S.buffalonis (Huong et al. 1997) form macrosarcocyst and has cat acts as a definitive host. S. levinei (Dubey et al. 1989; Claveria et al. 2000) forms microscopic sarcocyst and dog acts as definitive host (Dubey et al. 1989), whereas newly identified S.dubeyi forms the microscopic sarcocyst and definitive host has not yet been identified (Huong and Uggla 1999; Oryan et al. 2010).

Materials and methods

A total of 137 buffalo carcasses belonging to native and graded Murrah breeds that were slaughtered at local abattoirs in different parts of Andhra Pradesh from June 2014 to May 2015 were screened for the present study. According to age, the animals were categorized into two age groups: first group were young buffaloes (89) aged between 18 and 36 months and the second group were senile/unproductive buffaloes (48) aged about 5–8 years. At the time of slaughter, the fresh tissues were examined grossly for the presence of macrocyst, and simultaneously the suspected tissue samples from different organs viz., esophagus, tongue, heart, diaphragm and intercostal muscles were collected and tagged properly, preserved in 4 °C for further processing (Huong and Uggla 1999). For microscopic examination, trichinoscopy method was used. In this method, freshly collected samples were subjected to −20 °C for a few hours (2–4) until they become tough enough to cut into thin slices with the help of a fine scalpel blade. Approximately 15- to 20-µm thick sections were taken in few drops of normal saline and compressed gently between the two microscopic slides until it become transparent; then, it was screened for the presence of microscopic sarcocysts. The specimens found positive by macroscopic and microscopic examination were fixed in 10 % neutral buffered formalin solution and further processed for histopathological studies (Avapal et al. 2004; Mahran 2009). Macroscopic sarcocysts obtained from esophagus were dissected carefully without any rupture and were kept in normal saline for further investigation (Ghosal et al. 1988). The macrosarcocysts were measured and crushed between two slides for description of metrocytes and bradyzoites under phase contrast microscope. Micrometry was conducted for measurement of cyst wall thickness, length and width of the sarcocyst including bradyzoites and metrocytes in both fresh and stained preparations for species identification.

Results and discussion

In the present study, out of 137 slaughtered buffaloes, 91 were found to be positive for the presence of sarcocysts with an overall prevalence of 66.42 % with macrocysts found as 22.62 % and microscopic cysts as 43.79 %.

Similar infection rates were also reported earlier as 69 % in Egypt (Nahed et al. 2014), 65 % in Philippines (Claveria et al. 2000). However, a higher infection rate had been recorded in the previous reports as 87 % in India (Mohanty et al. 1995), China 94 % (Xiao et al. 1988), 100 % in Thailand Muangyai and Chalermchaikit (1988), 79 % in Vietnam (Huong and Uggla 1999) and 82.9 % in Iraq (Latif et al. 1999), respectively, whereas a lower prevalence rate as 53.5 and 57 % in Iran (Haddadzadeh et al. 2004; Ghorbanpoor et al. 2007) was also recorded. Age wise prevalence in the present study revealed 65.16 % (58/89) of Sarcocystis in samples from young male calves aged between 18 and 36 months old and 68.75 % (33/48) in samples from senile she buffaloes (Table 1). The present investigation revealed slight variation in prevalence rates as 68.75 % in aged animals followed by 65.16 % in younger animals which were similar to the observations of Huong (1999b), Oryan et al. (2010), EL-Dakhly et al. (2011) and Mohammad (2012). There was no significant difference in age wise prevalence in this study, but (Huong and Uggla 1999) opined that highest infection rates in older animals are most likely due to a long exposure to the infection. The organ wise prevalence was highest in esophageal muscles (51.82) followed by tongue (47.44 %), heart (29.92 %), diaphragmatic muscles (28.46 %) and intercostal muscles as 18.2 % (Table 2) in the present study and was in agreement with the earlier reports by Fayer and Dubey (1986), Huong and Uggla (1999) and Haddadzadeh et al. (2004). In contrast to the present study, Daryani et al. (2006) found the highest prevalence of sarcocystosis in the abdominal muscles of infected buffaloes rather than esophageal muscles. Gross and histopathological studies revealed the presence of macroscopic and microscopic cysts either in a single form of infection or mixed form and the most common affected organs were identified as esophagus and tongue (Table 3). Microscopic studies of histological sections showed mixed infections of S.levinei and S.fusiformis supporting that the buffaloes were frequently exposed to the infection due to close contact with dog, cat and other wild animals which acts as definitive hosts for this protozoa. The present investigation reports highest prevalence of microscopic sarcocysts (43.79 %) than the macroscopic sarcocyst (22.62 %) which were in line with the reports of Huong and Uggla (1999), Oryan et al. (2010) and EI-Dakhly et al. (2011). The highest prevalence of microscopic sarcocyst strongly suggests that dogs are in close contact with buffaloes, constantly disseminate the large number of sporocysts that may contaminate the feed and drinking water of intermediate hosts.

Table 1.

Prevalence of Sarcocystis infection in slaughtered buffaloes of different age groups in A.P

Age group Sex No. of animals examined No. of animals found positive %
18–36 months Male 89 58 65.16
>5 years Female 48 33 68.75
Open in a new tab

Table 2.

Distribution pattern of Sarcocystis infection (macroscopic and microscopic) in different organs of slaughtered buffaloes

Organ No. of animals found positive % of infection
Esophagus 71 51.82
Tongue 65 47.44
Heart 41 29.92
Diaphragmatic muscle 39 28.46
Intercostal muscle 25 18.24
Open in a new tab

Table 3.

Distribution pattern of macrocyst and microcyst in slaughtered buffaloes

No. of samples Buffalo calves aged b/n 18–36 months % Buffaloes aged >5 years %
Total positives 58 65.16 33 68.75
Macrocyst 12 13.4 19 39.51
Microcyst 38 42.69 22 45.83
Mixed infection 24 26.96 25 52.08
Open in a new tab

The prevalence rates were mainly dependent on the number of sporocysts disseminated by the definitive host and their survivability in the environment, basically regulated by the climatic conditions like temperature, rain fall and humidity (Huong and Uggla 1999; Oryan et al. 2010; EI-Dakhly et al. 2011). Grossly the macroscopic cysts were spindle or oval shaped and appear as milky white threads parallel to muscle fibers present underneath the serosal surface of the esophagus and in between the muscle tissue in case of the tongue. The macroscopic cysts were grossly opaque, measuring about 2–8.5 mm length and 1–3 mm width, which can be easily separated by the fine needles from the serosal surface of the esophagus and also from the tissues of the tongue (Figs. 1, 2). Contents of freshly collected cysts examined under the microscope revealed, gliding movement of bradyzoites along with round metrocytes (Fig. 3). Histological studies of hematoxylin and eosin stained tissue sections showed round-/ovoid-/spindle-shaped tissue cysts. The cysts were identified as S.levinei and S.fusiformis with prevalence rates of 43.79 and 22.62 %, respectively, and mixed infection (macroscopic and microscopic) was identified as 43.06 %. Micrometric studies of macrosarcocysts revealed 2–5 µm thickness of the cyst wall, and underneath this, the thick ground substance spread with oval- or irregular-shaped metrocytes with an average of 7.5/4 µm (length/width) were observed. The cysts were overcrowded with a number of bradyzoites centrifugally which were separated by septa, and toward the center, there was a sparse distribution of bradyzoites. The bradyzoites were categorized as mature and immature, based on their morphology. Mature bradyzoites were slender and crescent shaped with one sharply pointed end and measured about 11.5/2.5 µm (N = 30). Immature bradyzoites were banana shaped with blunt ends with an average of 8/3 µm (N = 30). Based on morphometry and micrometric analysis, the macroscopic cysts were confirmed as of S.fusiformis (Figs. 4, 5).

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

Open in a new tab

Photograph showing S.fusiformis (macrocysts) underneath the serosal surface of esophageal muscles

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

Open in a new tab

Photograph showing fusiform-shaped sarcocysts (S.fusiformis) measuring about 2–8.5 mm length and 1–3 mm width extracted from esophagus and tongue muscles

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

Open in a new tab

Fresh smear preparation of cyst fluid from macrocyst (S.fusiformis) showing crescentic-shaped bradyzoites (arrow) and round-shaped metrocytes (arrow head) ×100

Fig. 4.

Fig. 4

Open in a new tab

Section of macrosarcocyst (S.fusiformis) showing cyst wall thickness of 2–5 µm width (arrow) and internal compartmentalization spread with bradyzoites (arrow head) H&E ×40

Fig. 5.

Fig. 5

Open in a new tab

Photomicrograph of section of S.fusiformis cyst. Arrow mark showing the cyst wall and arrow head showing the metrocytes H&E ×1000

Microscopic sarcocysts were distributed in all types of organs viz, esophagus, tongue, heart, intercostal muscles and diaphragmatic muscles, and among these, esophagus and tongue were most frequent organs affected. These cysts were spindle shaped with tightly packed bradyzoites with slight compartmentalization ranged between 0.31 and 0.69 mm length and 0.09–0.12 mm width and have a very thin cyst wall less than 1 µm thickness. The bradyzoites measuring with an average of 6.25/2.5 µm (length/width). Based on the size of cyst, wall thickness and bradyzoites, the microscopic cyst was identified as S.levinei. Morphometry and micrometric analysis was compared with the descriptions of previous reports and strongly supports that they are S.fusiformis and S.levinei. The cyst characters of S.fusiformis and metrocytes in the present study are corroborate to the findings of Kan and Dissanaike (1978), Ghosal et al. (1988), Arafa et al. (2003), Metwalley et al. (2013) and Dubey et al. (2014). However, the measurements of crescent-shaped and banana-shaped bradyzoites were slightly smaller when compared to above reports. Similarly, cyst characters and bradyzoites of S.levinei were in accordance with Dissanaike and Kan (1978) and Metwalley et al. (2013) and were in contrast to Claveria et al. (2000) and Arafa et al. (2003) who reported the sarcocysts with thick cyst walls of 2.3–2.75 µm in Philippine water buffaloes and 4–7 µm in Assiut Governorate buffaloes. The present study revealed all cysts with <1 µm thickness only (Figs. 6, 7).

Fig. 6.

Fig. 6

Open in a new tab

Unstained microscopic sarcocyst (S.levinei) in trichnoscopic method distributed in muscle tissues ×100

Fig. 7.

Fig. 7

Open in a new tab

Muscle sections of a tongue and b heart revealing microsarcocyst (S.levinei) with thin cyst wall (<1 µm) and with tightly packed bradyzoites ×100

Histopathologically, both forms of sarcocysts revealed severe congestion of blood vessels consistently in all the positive samples. Degenerative changes like cloudy swelling of myocytes and hyalinization of muscle fibers along with infiltration of mononuclear cells, predominantly eosinophils, were observed. Presence of elongated sarcocysts and numerous bradyzoites in between the muscle bundles was noticed. Atrophy of few myocytes and focal areas of necrosis surrounding the cysts were also seen in the present study (Figs. 8, 9, 10). The findings were in accordance with earlier reports of Foggin (1980), Mohanty et al. (1995) and Singh et al. (2004) who observed inflammatory cellular infiltration in S.fusiformis and S.cruzi along with loss of striations and mild hyalinization of myofibrils in buffaloes and cattle, respectively. However, ruptured macrocysts releasing merozoites and necrotic centers infiltrated by inflammatory cells predominantly eosinophils in S.gigantea in sheep were reported by AI-Hyali et al. (2011). The inflammatory reactions and hyalinization of muscles can deteriorate the quality of the meat and that can be attributable to the toxins released from the cysts (Singh et al. 2004).

Fig. 8.

Fig. 8

Open in a new tab

Photomicrograph showing (a). S.fusiformis (macrocyst) in esophagus with degenerative changes in the surrounding muscle fibers ×1000 (b).t-shaped bradyzoites released between muscle fibers and hyaline degeneration of muscle fibers in heart with microsarcocyst (S.levinei) H&E ×1000

Fig. 9.

Fig. 9

Open in a new tab

Photomicrographs showing a cysts of S.levinei in heart muscle H&E ×100. b Elongated cyst of S.levinei in tongue showing degenerative changes in the surrounding muscle fibers H&E ×1000

Fig. 10.

Fig. 10

Open in a new tab

Photomicrograph showing necrosis, infiltration of eosinophils and mononuclear cells in sarcocystosis infected muscles H&E ×1000

Acknowledgments

The author is thankful to the Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati, for providing necessary facilities to carry out this work.

References

  1. Abu-Elwafa SA, Abbas IEA, AI-Araby MA. Ultrastructure of Sarcocystis buffalonis (Huong et al., 1997) infecting water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from Egypt. Int J Adv Res. 2015;3(1):452–457. [Google Scholar]
  2. AI-Hyali NS, Kennany ER, Khalil LY. Fate of macrocyst of Sarcocystis gigantea in sheep. Iraqi J Vet Sci. 2011;25(2):87–91. [Google Scholar]
  3. Arafa MI, Monib MM, Dyab AK, Abdel-Ghaffar SKH. Studies on ocular Sarcocystis in buffaloes in assiut governorate. Ass Univ Bull Environ Res. 2003;6:1. [Google Scholar]
  4. Avapal RS, Sharma JK, Juyal PD. Pathological changes in Sarcocystis infection in domestic pigs (Susscrofa) Vet J. 2004;168:358–361. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2003.11.006. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Claveria FG, Cruz MJ, Lim RS. Sarcocystis spp infection in Philippine water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) Parasitol Int. 2000;48:243–247. doi: 10.1016/S1383-5769(99)00025-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Daryani A, Alaei R, Dehghan MH, Arab R, Sharif M, Ziaei H. Survey of Sarcocystis infection in slaughtered sheep and buffaloes in Ardabil, Iran. J Anim Vet Adv. 2006;5:60–62. [Google Scholar]
  7. Dissanaike AS, Kan SP. Studies on Sarcocystis in Malaysia. I. Sarcocystis levinei n. sp. from the water buffalo Bubalus bubalis. Z. Parasitenkd (now Parasitol Res) 1978;55:127–138. doi: 10.1007/BF00384828. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Dubey JP, Steer CA, Fayer R. Sarcocystosis in animals and man. Bucaratin, Florida: CRC Press; 1989. p. 232. [Google Scholar]
  9. Dubey JP, Fayer R, Rosenthal BM, Calero-Bernal R, Uggla A (2014) Identity of Sarcocystis species of the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and cattle and the suppression of Sarcocystis sinensis as a nomen nudum. doi:10.1016/J.VetPar.2014.06.020 [DOI] [PubMed]
  10. EI-Dakhly KM, Khaled A, EI-Shaymaa ES, Hirata A, Sakai H, Yanai T. Prevalence and distribution patterns of Sarcocystis spp. in buffaloes in beni-Suef, Egypt. Trop Anim Health Prod. 2011;43:1549–1554. doi: 10.1007/s11250-011-9840-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. EL-Dakhly KM, EL-Nser KA, EL-Nahass EI-S, Hirata A, Sakai H, Yanai T. Prevalence and distribution patterns of Sarcocystis spp. in buffaloes in Beni-Suef, Egypt . Trop Anim Health Prod. 2011;43:1549–1554. doi: 10.1007/s11250-011-9840-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Fayer R, Dubey JP. Bovine Sarcocystosis. Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet. 1986;8:130–140. [Google Scholar]
  13. Foggin CM. Sarcocystis infection and granulomatous myositis in cattle in Zimbabwe. Zimb Vet J. 1980;11:8–13. [Google Scholar]
  14. Ghorbanpoor M, Hamidinejat H, Nabavi L, Khadjeh GH, Razi Jalali M. Evaluation of an ELISA for the diagnosis of sarcocystosis in water buffaloes. Bull Vet Inst Pulawy. 2007;51:229–231. [Google Scholar]
  15. Ghosal SB, Joshi SC, Shah HL. Studies on morphology of sarcocysts of Sarcocystis fusiformis obtained from naturally infected water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) Ind Vet J. 1988;65:196–199. [Google Scholar]
  16. Haddadzadeh HR, Razi Jalali M, Khazraeenia P, Taheri M, Rasekh A. Serological study on sarcocystosis in slaughtered buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) using IFAT compare with meat inspection finding in Ahvaz abattoir. J Fac Vet Med Uni Tehran. 2004;59:183–184. [Google Scholar]
  17. Huong LTT (1999a) Sarcocystis infections of the water buffalo in Vietnam. Doctoral thesis. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden, pp 1–53
  18. Huong LTT. Prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. in water buffaloes in Vietnam. Vet Parasitol. 1999;86:33–39. doi: 10.1016/S0304-4017(99)00135-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Huong LTT, Uggla A. Sarcocystis dubeyi n. sp. (Protozoa:Sarcocystidae) in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) J Parasitol. 1999;85:102–104. doi: 10.2307/3285709. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Huong LTT, Dubey JP, Nikkilä T, Uggla A. Sarcocystis buffalonis n. sp. (Protozoa: Sarcocystidae) from the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Vietnam. J Parasitol. 1997;83:471–474. doi: 10.2307/3284413. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Juyal PD, Bhatia BB. Sarcocystosis: an emerging zoonosis. Ind Vet Med J. 1989;13:66–69. [Google Scholar]
  22. Kan SP, Dissanaike AS. Studies on Sarcocystis in Malaysia. II. Comparative ultrastructure of the cyst wall and zoites of Sarcocystis levinei and Sarcocystis fusiformis from the water buffalo, Bubalus bubalis. Z Parasitenkunde. 1978;57:107–116. doi: 10.1007/BF00927151. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Latif BM, Al-Delemi JK, Mohammed BS, Al-Bayati SM, Al-Amiry AM. Prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. in meat producing animals in Iraq. Vet Parasitol. 1999;84:85–90. doi: 10.1016/S0304-4017(99)00046-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Mahran OM. Sarcocystis infection in sheep and goats slaughtered in Shalatin abattoir, Red Sea Governorate, Egypt. Assiut Vet Med J. 2009;55:341–355. [Google Scholar]
  25. Metwalley AM, Abd Ellah MR, Al-Hosary AA, Omar MA. Microscopical and serological studies on Sarcocystis infection with first report of S.cruzi (Bubalus bubalis) in Assiut, Egypt. J Parasit Dis. 2013 doi: 10.1007/s12639-013-0257-x. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Mohammad MH. Prevalence of bovine sarcocystosis in Babylon province. Kufa J Vet Med Sci. 2012;3(2):78–83. [Google Scholar]
  27. Mohanty BN, Misra SC, Panda DN, Panda M. Prevalence of Sarcocystis infection in ruminant in Orissa. Ind Vet J. 1995;72:1026–1030. [Google Scholar]
  28. Muangyai M, Chalermchaikit T. The incidence of Sarcocystis in cattle and buffaloes. Thai J Vet Med. 1988;18:319–326. [Google Scholar]
  29. Nahed H, Ghoneim WN, Reda Wafaa, Sara Nader M. Occurrence of Zoonotic Sarcosporidiosis in slaughtered Cattle and Buffaloes in different abattoirs in Egypt. Global Veterinaria. 2014;13(5):809–813. [Google Scholar]
  30. Oryan A, Ahmadi N, Mousavi SM. Prevalence, biology and distribution pattern of Sarcocystis infection in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Iran. Trop Anim Hlth Prod. 2010;42(7):1513–1518. doi: 10.1007/s11250-010-9601-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Shah HL. Epidemiology of Sarcocystis in domestic animals. Haryana Vet. 1983;22:59–73. [Google Scholar]
  32. Singh BB, Aulakh RS, Gill JPS, Sharma JK. Histopathological changes associated with sarcocystosis in Cattle. Ind J Vet Pathol. 2004;28(1):63. [Google Scholar]
  33. Xiao BN, Zhang YS, Yong ZF. A survey of sarcosporidiosis in domestic animals. Chin J Vet Med. 1988;14:12–14. [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Parasitic Diseases: Official Organ of the Indian Society for Parasitology are provided here courtesy of Springer

RESOURCES