Optimization of molecular identification of sarcocystic species from cattle meat

Abstract

Up till now six Sarcocystic species are known to form sarcocysts in muscles of cattle. Four species, including pathogenic for humans S. hominis have thick and radially striated cyst wall. Differentiation of these species is difficult by light microscopy and molecular diagnosis techniques suggested are complicated, expensive and not applicable for routine works. The objective of the present work was to create and optimize molecular-based method for the identification of Sarcocystis species in cattle meat. During this work, the optimal amount of bovine meat sample required to obtain Sarcocystis bradyzoites suspension and optimal conditions for parasite gDNR purification and PCR were determined. We designed five variants of specific primers for Sarcocystis spp. identification and tested which of them are the most suitable. [...].