| Abstract: | An enzyme immunoassay was used to detect anti-Sarcocystis antibodies in the sera of 159 cattle sent to slaughter in Jilin Province, north China. The musculature of each carcase was closely examined for the presence of parasitic cysts and aliquots of muscle were digested with pepsin and examined microscopically for cystozoites. Specific antibodies were detected in 126 (79.25%) cattle whereas cystozoites were detected in 123 (77.36%) and cysts in 103 (64.78%). The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the enzyme immunoassay were high (0.97, 0.99 and 0.91, respectively) and false reactions were only detected in four cases. The assay exhibited a high level of reproducibility when samples were re-tested and the soluble Sarcocystis spp. antigens did not cross-react with anti-Toxoplasma antibodies raised in rabbits. This report presents the first successful application of an enzyme immunoassay in the diagnosis of Sarcocystis spp. infections in naturally infected cattle in China. The assay, however, failed to detect specific antibodies in four dogs experimentally infected with S. cruzi from cattle. |
