Host resistance and faecal sporocyst excretion in dogs exposed to repeated infection with Sarcocystis levinei

A marked reduction in the faecal excretion of sporocysts was observed in experimental pups, following the repeated oral administration to them of buffalo cardiac muscle infected with Sarcocystis levinei. Sporocysts excreted from days 9 to 25 post-infection (pi) exhibited a gradual reduction in the quantum. Maximum intensity of excretion of sporocysts was recorded between days 9 and 16 pi, becoming moderate after day 16, light after day 21 and completely absent after day 36. After the subsequent feeding to pups of S. levinei infected buffalo cardiac tissues at 40 day intervals the quantity of sporocysts shed was less, the prepatent period was prolonged and the patent period was considerably shortened. The peak period of excretion varied depending upon the number of exposures of the pups to the infected S. levinei tissues from buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).