Líffræðifélag Íslands - biologia.is
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2025
Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster E64
Höfundar / Authors: Guðný Rut Pálsdóttir, Heiða Sigurðardóttir
Starfsvettvangur / Affiliations: Tilraunastöð HÍ í meinafræði að Keldum
Kynnir / Presenter: Guðný Rut Pálsdóttir
Sarcocystis spp. are apicomplexan parasites with a two-host cycle involving herbivorous/omnivorous intermediate hosts and carnivorous definitive hosts. Cattle serve as intermediate hosts for at least seven species, with cysts forming in muscle and CNS tissue. Definitive hosts become infected via raw or undercooked meat. In cattle, infection may cause fever, reduced milk yield, or abortion; carcass condemnation at meat inspection leads to economic losses. Species identification is critical for assessing zoonotic risk and impact. Previously, only Sarcocystis cruzi has been confirmed in icelandic cattle by PCR. This study investigated whether additional species occur and assessed geographic distribution. From 2023–2024, macroscopic cysts collected at slaughterhouses were submitted to Keldur for molecular identification using 18S rRNA and cox1 genes. Ninety samples were analyzed; all positives belonged to the species S. cruzi. The definitive host is the domestic dog. Transmission can be interrupted by restricting canine access to raw bovine tissues and preventing contamination of feed or water. Sequence data revealed at least three distinct S. cruzi variants in the cattle population. Further studies using larger sample sizes and enzymatic digestion are recommended to clarify whether other Sarcocystis species occur in Icelandic cattle.