Abstract: The parasites of genus Sarcocystis are among the most commonly found parasites in domestic ruminants and some species of Sarcocystis can generate important economic loss when causing clinical and subclinical disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Sarcocystis in slaughtered sheep and buffaloes in Ardabil, Iran. This cross-sectional study was carried out between May 2004 and February 2005. A total of 2110 sheep and 357 buffaloes were investigated. The prevalence of Sarcocystis unspecified species cysts in sheep were detected in 33.9% (716/2110): in the abdominal wall of 31.3%, diaphragm of 22.4%, intracostal of 6.6%, arm of 2%, tigh of 1.5%, rectus or neck of 0.75% and esophagus of 0.23%. Its prevalence in buffaloes was 8.12% 29/357). The prevalence of infection was highest in the entire females (p<0.001).
Daryani A , Alaei R , Dehghan M.H , Arab R , Sharif M and Ziaei H , 2006. Survey of Sarcocystis Infection in Slaughtered Sheep and Buffaloes in Ardabil, Iran. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 5: 60-62.