The prevalence of macroscopic sarcocysts in New Zealand cattle at slaughter |
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| Authors: | M.A. Mitchell |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health , Massey University , Palmerston North, New Zealand;2. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries , Ashburton, New Zealand |
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| Abstract: | A survey carried out to determine the prevalence of visible Sarcocystis spp. infection in 100 slaughtered cattle in a South Island abattoir revealed 64% infected. Although all ages, genders, breeds and export grades were infected, only host age had a statistically significant effect on the infection rate. Infections were most common in the rectus abdominis and the psoas muscles (47% and 41% respectively). Most infections were light, with less than ten macrocysts seen, though infections of more than 50 macrocysts occurred. The average macrocyst length was 4.1±0.10 mm (SE) (n = 233), the average cyst wall thickness 5.3 ±0,12 μm (SE) (n = 45). It is thought that the actual prevalence of infection is higher than that recorded and reasons for this are discussed. |
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| Keywords: | Pestivirus bovine ovine PCR sequencing phylogeny |
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