| sarcocystis falcatula of opossums: transmission by cockroaches with fatal pulmonary disease in psittacine birds. | old world psittacines experienced an acute fatal illness in outdoor breeding collections in south florida. toxoplasma-like organisms were found histologically in pulmonary capillaries and elsewhere. because the organisms underwent schizogony and could not be transmitted to mice, we looked for a cause other than toxoplasma gondii. an opossum was trapped on the premises of 1 facility and was found to be shedding sporocysts similar to sarcocystis falcatula in its feces. cockroaches were prevalent a ... | 1992 | 1738053 |
| pathology of experimental sarcocystis falcatula infections of canaries (serinus canarius) and pigeons (columba livia). | sarcocystis falcatula is an apicomplexan parasite with a broad range of avian intermediate hosts. the pathology and pathogenesis of infection with this parasite has been studied experimentally in the budgerigar (melopsittacus undulatus). the present study quantitatively examines the pathology of this parasite in canaries (serinus canarius) and pigeons (columba livia) and compares it with that found in budgerigars. the general progression of merogony and cyst formation is similar qualitatively to ... | 1990 | 2105389 |
| naturally occurring apicomplexan acute interstitial pneumonitis in thick-billed parrots (rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha). | this report describes acute interstitial pneumonitis due to an apicomplexan parasite with schizogony in endothelial cells of pulmonary vessels accompanied by early and metrocyte stages of sarcocysts in the heart of a thick-billed parrot (rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha). the pattern of this disease is similar to that of the acute phase (approximately 10-15 days postinoculation) of experimental infections of budgerigars, melopsittacus undulatus, with high doses of sporocysts of sarcocystis falcatula. | 1990 | 2108237 |
| pathogenesis of sarcocystis falcatula (apicomplexa: sarcocystidae) in the budgerigar (melopsittacus undulatus). iii. pathologic and quantitative parasitologic analysis of extrapulmonary disease. | forty-four budgerigars (melopsittacus undulatus) were administered sporocysts of sarcocystis falcatula orally and were examined at necropsy intervals from less than 12 hr to 168 days. tissue were examined by touch preparations (of organ cut surfaces), light microscopy, and electron microscopy. meront and cyst burdens were determined in various organs and correlated with duration of infection, inoculum, and the meront or cyst burdens of other organs. host inflammatory tissue reactions were quanti ... | 1989 | 2494317 |
| pathogenesis of sarcocystis falcatula (apicomplexa: sarcocystidae) in the budgerigar (melopsittacus undulatus). iv. ultrastructure of developing, mature and degenerating sarcocysts. | sarcocysts in cardiac and skeletal muscles of budgerigars (melopsittacus undulatus) were examined transmission electron microscopically 5 to 168 days after experimental infection with sarcocystis falcatula. the ultrastructure of the primary cyst wall, amorphous substance, metrocytes and bradyzoites in developing, degenerating and mature sarcocysts is described and compared with precystic merozoites studied previously. sufficient morphologic differences between precystic merozoites, metrocytes an ... | 1989 | 2504912 |
| pathogenesis of sarcocystis falcatula in the budgerigar. i. early pulmonary schizogony. | sarcocystis falcatula is a protozoan parasite which obligatorily alternates its definitive host, the opossum (didelphis virginiana), and a uniquely wide range of avian intermediate hosts. the disease produced by this coccidian parasite in intermediate hosts was studied in the budgerigar bird (melopsittacus undulatus). the ultrastructure of pulmonary sporozoites, meronts and merozoites of this sarcocystis species is described. early schizogony occurs progressively in pulmonary capillary and in ve ... | 1987 | 3099083 |
| pathogenesis of sarcocystis falcatula in the budgerigar. ii. pulmonary pathology. | sarcocystis falcatula is a protozoan parasite which obligatorily alternates its definitive host, the opossum (didelphis virginiana), and a uniquely wide range of avian intermediate hosts. the disease produced by this coccidian parasite in intermediate hosts was studied in the budgerigar bird (melopsittacus undulatus). early schizogony occurs in pulmonary endothelial cells, resulting in endothelial cell hypertrophy, capillary obstruction preceding endothelial lysis, acute endophlebitis, and chron ... | 1987 | 3099084 |
| description of sarcocystis falcatula stiles, 1893, a parasite of birds and opossums. | sarcocystis falcatula stiles, 1893 is re-described. intermediate hosts of the parasite which was earlier described as sarcocystis debonei vogelsang, 1929 are species of passeriform, psittaciform, and columbiform birds. in these birds, muscle zoites are 6.88 x 2.19 (4.8-8.4 x 1.2-3.6) micron and are enclosed in a cyst wall with regular protrusions, 1-5 micron long. the convoluted primary wall has multiple thin areas in the osmiophilic layer. microtubules originate in the ground substance and exte ... | 1984 | 6439855 |
| sarcocystis falcatula from passerine and psittacine birds: synonymy with sarcocystis neurona, agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. | equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (epm) is a neurologic disease of horses caused by sarcocystis neurona. the horse is a dead-end host for s. neurona and the definitive and intermediate hosts have not previously been identified. we hypothesized that s. neurona is actually sarcocystis falcatula, a parasite that cycles in nature between virginia opossums (didelphis virginiana) and any of a variety of avian intermediate hosts. we extracted dna from s. falcatula sarcocysts in the muscle of a brown-h ... | 1995 | 8544067 |
| experimental induction of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in horses using sarcocystis sp. sporocysts from the opossum (didelphis virginiana). | sarcocystis sp. sporocysts isolated from eight feral opossums (didelphis virginiana) were pooled and fed to 18 commercially reared budgerigars (melopsittacus undulatus), 14 wild-caught sparrows (passer domesticus), one wild-caught slate-colored junco (junco hyemalis) and five weanling horses (equus caballus). all budgerigars died within 5 weeks post inoculation (wpi). histologic examination revealed meronts within the pulmonary epithelia and typical sarcocystis falcatula sarcocysts developing in ... | 1997 | 9066066 |
| in vitro cultivation and experimental inoculation of sarcocystis falcatula and sarcocystis neurona merozoites into budgerigars (melopsittacus undulatus). | this is a report of the isolation and in vitro propagation of merozoites of sarcocystis falcatula. culture-derived s. falcatula merozoites remained infectious after several passages in tissue culture as determined by the susceptibility of experimentally inoculated melopsittacus undulatus that died of pulmonary sarcocystosis after experimental inoculation. there was no obvious clinical disease or lesion when sarcocystis neurona merozoites were used to inoculate m. undulatus. on the basis of the b ... | 1997 | 9406803 |
| molecular phylogenetic relatedness of frenkelia spp. (protozoa, apicomplexa) to sarcocystis falcatula stiles 1893: is the genus sarcocystis paraphyletic? | the coccidians frenkelia microti and f. glareoli (apicomplexa: sarcocystidae) form tissue cysts in the brain of small rodents (intermediate hosts) while oocysts are formed in the intestine of final hosts, buzzards of the genus buteo. the inclusion of the small subunit ribosomal rna gene sequences (ssu rrna) of both frenkelia species into the ssu rrna trees of other, tissue cyst-forming coccidia strongly supports paraphyly of the genus sarcocystis. frenkelia spp. exhibit close relatedness to sarc ... | 1998 | 9495042 |
| isolation of a third species of sarcocystis in immunodeficient mice fed feces from opossums (didelphis virginiana) and its differentiation from sarcocystis falcatula and sarcocystis neurona. | opossums (didelphis virginiana) were found to be hosts for 3 species of sarcocystis: sarcocystis falcatula with an avian intermediate host, s. neurona with an undetermined intermediate host, and a third, unnamed, species. sporocysts from the intestines of 2 opossums (nos. 26 and 47) were fed to budgerigars (melopsittacus undulatus), nude mice, and gamma-interferon knockout (ko) mice. sporocysts of s. falcatula were not infective to nude or ko mice. sporocysts of s. neurona induced encephalitis i ... | 1998 | 9920306 |
| isolation in immunodeficient mice of sarcocystis neurona from opossum (didelphis virginiana) faeces, and its differentiation from sarcocystis falcatula. | sarcocystis neurona was isolated in nude mice and gamma-interferon knockout mice fed sporocysts from faeces of naturally infected opossums (didelphis virginiana). mice fed sporocysts became lethargic and developed encephalitis. protozoa were first found in the brain starting 21 days post-inoculation. sarcocystis neurona was recovered in cell culture from the homogenate of liver, spleen and brain of a nude mouse 11 days after feeding sporocysts. the protozoa in mouse brain and in cell culture mul ... | 1998 | 9925260 |
| development of sarcocystis falcatula in cell cultures demonstrates that it is different from sarcocystis neurona. | the development of sarcocystis falcatula merozoites in bovine turbinate (bt) cell cultures is described and compared with development of sarcocystis neurona merozoites. merozoites of s. falcatula entered bt cell cultures and increased in size until 3 days post-inoculation when the nucleus of some merozoites developed lobes. developing schizonts present at 4 days contained a lobed nucleus or appeared multinucleate. a single mature schizont was observed 4 days p.i. schizonts were numerous 5 and 6 ... | 1999 | 10205798 |
| multiple dna markers differentiate sarcocystis neurona and sarcocystis falcatula. | studies designed to investigate the causative agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis and its life cycle have been hampered by the marked similarity of sarcocystis neurona to other sarcocystis spp. present in the same definitive host. random-amplified polymorphic dna techniques were used to amplify dna from isolates of s. neurona and sarcocystis falcatula. dna sequence analysis of polymerase chain reaction (pcr) products was then used to design pcr primers to amplify specific sarcocystis spp ... | 1999 | 10219299 |
| are sarcocystis neurona and sarcocystis falcatula synonymous? a horse infection challenge. | equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (epm) is a debilitating neurologic disease of the horse. the causative agent. sarcocystis neurona, has been suggested to be synonymous with sarcocystis falcatula, implying a role for birds as intermediate hosts. to test this hypothesis, opossums (didelphis virginiana) were fed muscles containing s. falcatula sarcocysts from naturally infected brown-headed cowbirds (molothrus ater). ten horses were tested extensively to ensure no previous exposure to s. neurona ... | 1999 | 10219313 |
| ultrastructure of shizonts and merozoites of sarcocystis falcatula in the lungs of budgerigars (melopsittacus undulatus). | transmission electron microscopy was used to study the ultrastructure of schizogony of sarcocystis falcatula in the lungs of budgerigars (melopsittacus undulatus). schizogony occurred exclusively by endopolygeny within endothelial cells of pulmonary capillaries, venules, and small veins. early schizonts were elongate with a large nucleus and nucleolus, surrounded by a pellicle consisting of a plasmalemma and an inner single membrane, and contained most of the organelles and inclusion bodies foun ... | 1999 | 10461942 |
| comparison of the internal transcribed spacer, its-1, from sarcocystis falcatula isolates and sarcocystis neurona. | the genetic diversity among 6 sarcocystis falcatula isolates derived from geographically distinct regions in the u.s.a. was detected using the first internal transcribed spacer region 1 (its-1) of the rrna gene. these sequences were then compared to the full sequence from a sarcocystis neurona isolate obtained from a california horse diagnosed with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. no nucleotide differences were detected over partial sequence analysis of 2 additional s. neurona isolates: howev ... | 1999 | 10461964 |
| isolation of sarcocystis falcatula from the south american opossum (didelphis albiventris) from argentina. | sarcocystis sporocysts from the intestines of four opossums (didelphis albiventris) from argentina were identified as sarcocystis falcatula based on schizogonic stages and pathogenicity to budgerigars (melopsittacus undulatus). seven budgerigars fed sporocysts from the opossum feces died of acute sarcocystosis 8, 9, 11, 12, and 14 days after inoculation. schizonts and merozoites found in the lungs and other organs of the budgerigars were identified as s. falcatula based on structure and immunore ... | 1999 | 10536981 |
| comparative development and merozoite production of two isolates of sarcocystis neurona and sarcocystis falcatula in cultured cells. | the development and merozoite production of sarcocystis falcatula and 2 isolates (sn6 and sn2) of sarcocystis neurona were studied in various cultured cell lines inoculated with culture-derived merozoites. all 3 parasites underwent multiple cycles of schizogony in vero cells, bovine monocytes (m617 cells), and bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (cpa). sarcocystis neurona strains sn6 and sn2 formed schizonts in rat myoblasts (l6) but not in quail myoblasts (qm7); s. falcatula formed schizo ... | 2000 | 10701559 |
| determination of the activity of diclazuril against sarcocystis neurona and sarcocystis falcatula in cell cultures. | diclazuril is a benzeneacetonitril anticoccidial that has excellent activity against the extraintestinal stages of toxoplasma gondii and neospora caninum. it also is highly active against intestinal coccidia of poultry. the present study examined the efficacy of diclazuril in inhibiting merozoite production of sarcocystis neurona and sarcocystis falcatula in bovine turbinate cell cultures. diclazuril inhibited merozoite production by more than 80% in cultures of s. neurona or s. falcatula treate ... | 2000 | 10701584 |
| biological characterisation of sarcocystis neurona isolated from a southern sea otter (enhydra lutris nereis). | sarcocystis neurona was isolated from the brain of a juvenile, male southern sea otter (enhydra lutris nereis) suffering from cns disease. schizonts and merozoites in tissue sections of the otter's brain reacted with anti-s. neurona antiserum immunohistochemically. development in cell culture was by endopolyogeny and mature schizonts were first observed at 3 days postinoculation. pcr of merozoite dna using primer pairs jnb33/jnb54 and restriction enzyme digestion of the 1100 bp product with dra ... | 2000 | 10779575 |
| characterization of sarcocystis falcatula isolates from the argentinian opossum, didelphis albiventris. | two isolates of sarcocystis falcatula were obtained from the lungs of budgerigars (melopsittacus undulatus) fed sporocysts from two naturally-infected south american opossums (didelphis albiventris). the two isolates were designated sf-1a and sf-2a. both isolates induced fatal infections in budgerigars. both isolates underwent schizogony in african green monkey kidney cells. the structure of schizonts in the lungs of budgerigars was more variable than that observed in cell culture. the two isola ... | 2000 | 10847342 |
| experimental transmission of sarcocystis speeri dubey and lindsay, 1999 from the south american opossum (didelphis albiventris) to the north american opossum (didelphis virginiana). | sarcocystis speeri dubey and lindsay, 1999 from the south american opossum didelphis albiventris was successfully transmitted to the north american opossum didelphis virginiana. sporocysts from a naturally infected d. albiventris from argentina were fed to 2 gamma-interferon knockout (ko) mice. the mice were killed 64 and 71 days after sporocyst feeding (daf). muscles containing sarcocysts from the ko mouse killed 71 daf were fed to a captive d. virginiana; this opossum shed sporocysts 11 days a ... | 2000 | 10864267 |
| in vitro cultivation of schizonts of sarcocystis speeri dubey and lindsay, 1999. | schizonts of sarcocystis speeri dubey and lindsay, 1999 were cultured in vitro in bovine monocyte and equine kidney cell cultures inoculated with infected tissues of nude and gamma-interferon knockout mice fed sporocysts from opossums, didelphis albiventris. at least 1 asexual cycle was completed in 3 days. in vitro-grown merozoites were structurally and antigenically distinct from those of sarcocystis neurona and sarcocystis falcatula. culture-derived merozoites of s. speeri were not infective ... | 2000 | 10958438 |
| characterization of an unidentified sarcocystis falcatula-like parasite from the south american opossum, didelphis albiventris from brazil. | an unidentified isolate of a sarcocystis falcatula-like parasite was obtained from the lungs of budgerigars (melopsittacus undulatus) fed sporocysts from a naturally-infected south american opossum, didelphis albiventris from brazil. four captive budgerigars fed sporocysts from the opossum intestine died of acute sarcocystosis 8, 10, and 12 days after oral inoculation (dai); one budgerigar was killed 12 dai when it was lethargic. schizonts and merozoites found in the lungs of the budgerigars rea ... | 2000 | 11128705 |
| sporocyst size of isolates of sarcocystis shed by the virginia opossum (didelphis virginiana). | the virginia opossum (didelphis virginiana) is a definitive host for multiple sarcocystis species including sarcocystis neurona, one of the causative agents of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (epm), a severe, neuromuscular disease of horses. size and morphologic characteristics of isolates of sarcocystis shed by the opossum were examined to determine if differences were useful in discriminating between the isolates and/or species. collections of sporocysts from 17 opossums were molecularly ch ... | 2001 | 11223210 |
| evaluation of the shedding of sarcocystis falcatula sporocysts in experimentally infected virginia opossums (didelphis virginiana). | five virginia opossums (didelphis virginiana) were fed muscles of brown-headed cowbirds (molothrus ater) containing sarcocysts of sarcocystis falcatula. shedding of sporocysts was confirmed in all five opossums by fecal flotation. counts were conducted daily for 2 weeks and then biweekly until the animals were euthanized and necropsied. the average prepatent period was 9.8 (7-16) days. the number of sporocysts shed varied greatly between the opossums with maximum mean shedding occurring at 71.6 ... | 2001 | 11223211 |
| development of sarcocystis falcatula in its intermediate host, the brown-headed cowbird (molothrus ater). | sporocysts of sarcocystis falcatula obtained from experimentally infected virginia opossums (didelphis virginiana) were inoculated orally to 60 wild-caught brown-headed cowbirds (molothrus ater). another 30 brown-headed cowbirds were not challenged and served as uninfected controls. two inoculated and one control cowbird were necropsied every 2 weeks and the pectoral and thigh muscles were examined grossly for cyst development. stained histologic sections of pectoral muscle, thigh muscle, and lu ... | 2001 | 11223213 |
| sarcocystis neurona and sarcocystis falcatula: monitoring of schizogony in cell culture using fluorescent nuclear labeling. | the nuclei of merozoites of sarcocystis neurona and sarcocystis falcatula were labeled with the fluorescent marker syto21. it was shown that the marker would label the parasites and that they would retain the marker throughout schizogony. thus, there was sufficient marker in the daughter merozoites to make them easily visible with fluorescence microscopy. this technique will be helpful in studying the developmental biology of these parasites in vitro. | 2001 | 11223216 |
| acute sarcocystis falcatula-like infection in a carmine bee-eater (merops nubicus) and immunohistochemical cross reactivity between sarcocystis falcatula and sarcocystis neurona. | an unidentified sarcocystis falcatula-like infection was diagnosed in a captive bee-eater (merops nubicus) in a zoo in florida. the bird died suddenly, probably due to protozoa-associated pneumonia. protozoal schizonts were found in lungs and heart, and immature sarcocysts were seen in skeletal muscles. ultrastructurally, schizonts were located in capillary endothelium and merozoites lacked rhoptries, consistent with the structure of sarcocystis species. sarcocysts were immature, microscopic, an ... | 2001 | 11534648 |
| sarcocystis lindsayi n. sp. (protozoa: sarcocystidae) from the south american opossum, didelphis albiventris from brazil. | a new species, sarcocystis lindsayi n. sp., is proposed for a parasite resembling sarcocystis falcatula. it was obtained from the lungs and muscles of budgerigars (melopsittacus undulatus) fed sporocysts from a naturally-infected south american opossum, didelphis albiventris, from jaboticabal, brazil. sarcocysts of s. lindsayi n. sp. in budgerigars are microscopic, up to 600 microm long and up to 50 microm wide. the cyst wall is up to 2 microm thick. ultrastructurally, the sarcocyst wall consist ... | 2001 | 11596925 |
| isolates of sarcocystis falcatula-like organisms from south american opossums didelphis marsupialis and didelphis albiventris from são paulo, brazil. | isolates of sarcocystis falcatula-like organisms from south american opossums were characterized based on biological and morphological criteria. sporocysts from intestinal scrapings of 1 didelphis marsupialis and 8 didelphis albiventris from são paulo, brazil, were fed to captive budgerigars (melopsittacus undulatus). budgerigars fed sporocysts from all 9 isolates became ill and s. falcatula-like schizonts were identified in sections of their lungs by immunohistochemical staining. sarcocystis fa ... | 2001 | 11780836 |
| serologic responses of cats against experimental sarcocystis neurona infections. | sarcocystis neurona is the most important cause of a neurologic disease of horses, equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (epm). cats and other carnivores can act as its intermediate hosts and horses are aberrant hosts. little is known of the sero-epidemiology of s. neurona infections in cats. in the present study, antibodies to s. neurona were evaluated by the s. neurona agglutination test (sat). cats fed sporocysts from the feces of naturally infected opossums or inoculated intramuscularly with s. ... | 2002 | 12127255 |
| acute pulmonary sarcocystis falcatula-like infection in three victoria crowned pigeons (goura victoria) housed indoors. | three free-roaming victoria crowned pigeons (goura victoria) housed in a completely enclosed tropical exhibit were found dead without antemortem signs of illness. the birds died within 9 days of each other. gross necropsy revealed moderate pulmonary edema in all three birds. histopathologic examination revealed pulmonary edema and pulmonary protozoal merozoites compatible with sarcocystis spp., toxoplasma gondii, or neospora spp. infection. immunohistochemical staining for t. gondii and neospora ... | 2001 | 12790430 |
| effects of temperature and host cell type on the in vitro growth and development of sarcocystis falcatula. | the growth and development of sarcocystis falcatula in four different cultured cell lines [vero cells, bovine turbinate (bt) cells, equine dermal (ed) cells, and human hep-2 cells] inoculated with culture-derived merozoites are described. parasite yields, viability, and plaque forming efficiency were used to compare the growth between different cell lines. additionally, each cell line was tested at two temperatures of incubation (35 degrees c and 37 degrees c). based on yield, viability, and pla ... | 2003 | 12851811 |
| evidence to support horses as natural intermediate hosts for sarcocystis neurona. | opossums (didelphis spp.) are the definitive host for the protozoan parasite sarcocystis neurona, the causative agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (epm). opossums shed sporocysts in feces that can be ingested by true intermediate hosts (cats, raccoons, skunks, armadillos and sea otters). horses acquire the parasite by ingestion of feed or water contaminated by opossum feces. however, horses have been classified as aberrant intermediate hosts because the terminal asexual sarcocyst stage ... | 2005 | 15970386 |
| a genetically diverse but distinct north american population of sarcocystis neurona includes an overrepresented clone described by 12 microsatellite alleles. | the population genetics and systematics of most coccidians remain poorly defined despite their impact on human and veterinary health. non-recombinant parasite clones characterized by distinct transmission and pathogenesis traits persist in the coccidian toxoplasma gondii despite opportunities for sexual recombination. in order to determine whether this may be generally true for tissue-cyst forming coccidia, and to address evolutionary and taxonomic problems within the genus sarcocystis, we chara ... | 2006 | 16488197 |
| in vitro evaluation of bovine turbinate cells and sarcocystis falcatula proliferation in response to serum-free medium and other media supplements. | a serum-free medium (sfm) was evaluated for the growth of bovine turbinate (bt) cells used for the production of sarcocyvstis falcatula merozoites. serum free cultures used to propagate s. falcatula were compared to cultures maintained in media supplemented with fetal calf serum (fcs) or horse serum (hs). serum free cultures were more.effective and very promisin, than the others in supporting the proliferation of s. falcatula merozoites. however, the serum free cultures were unable to adequately ... | 2006 | 16927865 |
| sarcocystis neurona: molecular characterization of enolase domain i region and a comparison to other protozoa. | sarcocystis neurona causes protozoal myeloencephalitis and has the ability to infect a wide host range in contrast to other sarcocystis species. in the current study, five s. neurona isolates from a variety of sources, three sarcocystis falcatula, one sarcocystis dasypi/s. neurona-like isolate, and one besnoitia darlingi isolate were used to compare the enolase 2 gene segment containing the domain i region to previously sequenced enolase genes from neospora caninum, neospora hughesi, toxoplasma ... | 2008 | 18625501 |
| a novel sarcocystis-associated encephalitis and myositis in racing pigeons. | sarcosporidian cysts in the skeletal muscle of domestic pigeons (columba livia f. domestica) have previously been attributed to infection with sarcocystis falcatula, which is shed in the faeces of the opossum (didelphis virginiana). here, we describe fatal spontaneous encephalitis and myositis associated with sarcocystis infections in three flocks of racing pigeons with 47 of 244 animals affected. the clinical course was characterized by depression, mild diarrhoea, torticollis, opisthotonus, par ... | 2009 | 19322710 |
| limited genetic diversity among sarcocystis neurona strains infecting southern sea otters precludes distinction between marine and terrestrial isolates. | sarcocystis neurona is an apicomplexan parasite identified as a cause of fatal neurological disease in the threatened southern sea otter (enhydra lutris nereis). in an effort to characterize virulent s. neurona strains circulating in the marine ecosystem, this study developed a range of markers relevant for molecular genotyping. highly conserved sequences within the 18s ribosomal gene array, the plastid-encoded rna polymerase (rpob) and the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 mitochondrial gene (co1) ... | 2010 | 20071081 |
| natural fatal sarcocystis falcatula infections in free-ranging eagles in north america. | three bald eagles (haliaeetus leucocephalus) and 1 golden eagle (aquila chrysaetos) were admitted to rehabilitation facilities with emaciation, lethargy, and an inability to fly. intravascular schizonts and merozoites were present in 2 bald eagles, mainly in the lung tissue, whereas the third bald eagle and the golden eagle had lymphohistiocytic encephalitis with intralesional schizonts and merozoites. in all eagles, protozoal tissue cysts were present in skeletal musculature or heart. the proto ... | 2010 | 20224094 |
| morphologic and molecular characterization of the sarcocysts of sarcocystis rileyi (apicomplexa: sarcocystidae) from the mallard duck ( anas platyrhynchos ). | macroscopic sarcocysts are often observed in ducks, but at present their taxonomic status remains uncertain because ducks serve as intermediate hosts for several such parasites in the genus sarcocystis . one such species, sarcocystis rileyi , was long ago established to involve the northern shoveler duck ( anas clypeata ) and the striped skunk ( mephitis mephitis ) as its intermediate and definitive hosts, respectively. here, we employed light microscopy, electron microscopy, and dna sequencing ... | 2010 | 20496959 |
| fatal toxoplasmosis in a vinaceous amazon parrot (amazona vinacea). | toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in a vinaceous amazon parrot based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. the bird was prostrate on the bottom of the cage and died. necropsy revealed edema and congestion of the lungs, cloudy air sacs, and mild hepatomegaly. histopathology revealed severe pulmonary congestion and edema and interstitial mononuclear cell inflammation associated with many cysts containing bradyzoites of toxoplasma gondii scattered throughout. the heart had mild multifocal lymphocyt ... | 2012 | 23397856 |
| a presumptive case of baylisascaris procyonis in a feral green-cheeked amazon parrot (amazona viridigenalis). | a feral green-cheeked amazon parrot (amazona viridigenalis), also known as the red-crowned amazon, with generalized neurologic symptoms was found in pasadena in southern california and brought in for treatment. the bird was refractory to a wide variety of medications and supportive treatment. tests for polyoma virus, psittacine beak and feather disease virus, and west nile virus as well as chlamydophila psittaci were negative. hospitalized and home care continued for a total of 69 days. the bird ... | 2014 | 24712176 |
| molecular phylogeny of toxoplasmatinae: comparison between inferences based on mitochondrial and apicoplast genetic sequences. | phylogenies within toxoplasmatinae have been widely investigated with different molecular markers. here, we studied molecular phylogenies of the toxoplasmatinae subfamily based on apicoplast and mitochondrial genes. partial sequences of apicoplast genes coding for caseinolytic protease (clpc) and beta subunit of rna polymerase (rpob), and mitochondrial gene coding for cytochrome b (cytb) were analyzed. laboratory-adapted strains of the closely related parasites sarcocystis falcatula and sarcocys ... | 2016 | 27007245 |
| an outbreak of sarcocystis calchasi encephalitis in multiple psittacine species within an enclosed zoological aviary. | a total of 5 psittacine birds in an enclosed zoological exhibit, including 2 princess parrots and 3 cockatoos of 2 different species, developed severe central nervous system clinical signs over a 2-3-month period and died or were euthanized. histologically, all birds had a lymphoplasmacytic and histiocytic encephalitis with intralesional protozoa consistent with a sarcocystis species in addition to intramuscular tissue sarcocysts. by immunohistochemical staining, merozoites in brain and tissue c ... | 2013 | 24081928 |
| necrotizing meningoencephalitis caused by sarcocystis falcatula in bare-faced ibis (phimosus infuscatus). | the infection by s. falcatula is commonly associated with respiratory disease in captive psittacine birds, with a few case reports of this protozoan causing encephalitis in wild birds. we describe the clinical, pathological, and molecular aspects of an infection by s. falcatula in a bare-faced ibis (phimosus infuscatus). clinically, wing paralysis and mild motor incoordination were observed. at necropsy, the telencephalic cortex showed multifocal to coalescing yellowish soft areas. histologicall ... | 2017 | 27915419 |
| diversity of sarcocystis spp shed by opossums in brazil inferred with phylogenetic analysis of dna coding its1, cytochrome b, and surface antigens. | although few species of sarcocystis are known to use marsupials of the genus didelphis as definitive host, an extensive diversity of alleles of surface antigen genes (sag2, sag3, and sag4) has been described in samples of didelphid opossums in brazil. in this work, we studied 25 samples of sarcocystis derived from gastrointestinal tract of opossums of the genus didelphis by accessing the variability of sag2, sag3, sag4, gene encoding cytochrome b (cytb) and first internal transcribed spacer (its ... | 2016 | 26905780 |
| molecular characterization and development of sarcocystis speeri sarcocysts in gamma interferon gene knockout mice. | the north american opossum (didelphis virginiana) is the definitive host for at least three named species of sarcocystis: sarcocystis falcatula, sarcocystis neurona and sarcocystis speeri. the south american opossums (didelphis albiventris, didelphis marsupialis and didelphis aurita) are definitive hosts for s. falcatula and s. lindsayi. the sporocysts of these sarcocystis species are similar morphologically. they are also not easily distinguished genetically because of the difficulties of dna e ... | 2015 | 26303093 |
| extensively variable surface antigens of sarcocystis spp. infecting brazilian marsupials in the genus didelphis occur in myriad allelic combinations, suggesting sexual recombination has aided their diversification. | sarcocystis neurona and sarcocystis falcatula are very similar species of apicomplexan protozoa that use marsupials of the genus didelphis as definitive hosts. these mammals can serve as definitive hosts not only for these two parasites, but for other sarcocystis such as sarcocystis speeri and sarcocystis lindsayi. sarcocystis shed by opossums (with the exception of s. neurona) can cause disease in a great variety of birds, being commonly associated with acute pulmonary sarcocystosis in zoos. s. ... | 2013 | 23433642 |
| occurrence of sarcocystis falcatula in captive psittacine birds in brazil. | thirty-eight captive psittacine birds housed in a bird park in foz do iguaçu, parana, brazil, died within a 15-month period as a result of infection with sarcocystis falcatula. although fatalities affected 16 species of psittacine birds, mortality was highest in old world species, which were most susceptible to the pulmonary form of sarcocystosis. along with the pathologic findings of this disease outbreak, a review of the pathophysiology of sarcosporidiosis is presented. | 2009 | 19530402 |
| sarcocystis falcatula-associated encephalitis in a free-ranging great horned owl (bubo virginianus). | a great horned owl (bubo virginianus) was admitted to a rehabilitation clinic with severe neurologic signs that were unresponsive to supportive care. the animal was euthanatized because of a poor prognosis. marked granulomatous encephalitis with focal brainstem malacia was detected microscopically. the brainstem was the most severely affected brain location and the only place in which schizonts and merozoites, morphologically compatible with sarcocystis spp., were detected. immunohistochemistry ... | 2009 | 19286517 |
| clinical presentation and pathology of sarcocystosis in psittaciform birds: 11 cases. | sarcocystosis in psittaciform birds occurs in several different presentations, making ante-mortem diagnosis challenging without specific laboratory tests. this study followed the course of 11 birds diagnosed with sarcocystosis by serologic analysis and/or post-mortem examinations during a 10-month period in 2006-07. the disease presented in three different clinical forms: an acute pulmonary disease (three birds), muscular disease (five), and neurological disease (three). early diagnosis of sarco ... | 2008 | 18459322 |
| influence of size of sporocyst inoculum upon the size and number of sarcocysts of sarcocystis falcatula which develop in the brown-headed cowbird. | the influence of the number of sporocysts in the inoculum of sarcocystis falcatula on the morphology of the sarcocysts has not been reported in the literature. to determine if there is a relationship, different number of sporocysts were inoculated orally into wild-caught cowbirds. after 14 weeks, the cowbirds were euthanised and muscle tissue was examined grossly and by histologic sections. sarcocysts were compared based on the numbers which developed and their sizes. there was a linear increase ... | 2001 | 11223212 |
| prevalence of sarcocystis species sporocysts in wild-caught opossums (didelphis virginiana). | sarcocystis sporocysts were found in intestinal scrapings from 24 (54.5%) of 44 opossums (didelphis virginiana). the number of sporocysts varied from a few (< 10,000) to 245 million. sporocysts from 23 of 24 opossums were fed to captive budgerigars (melopsittacus undulatas), and the inocula from 21 opossums were infective, indicating the presence of sarcocystis falcatula. sporocysts from 24 opossums were fed to gamma-interferon-knockout (ko) or nude mice; inocula from 14 opossums were infective ... | 2000 | 10958444 |
| microscopic features of sarcocystis falcatula in skeletal muscle from a patagonian conure. | | 1989 | 2503917 |