A light microscopic comparison of the cysts of four species of Sarcocystis infecting the domestic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in northern Norway |
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Authors: | B Gjerde |
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Affiliation: | Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Parasitology, the Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine, Oslo, Norway |
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Abstract: | Fresh preparations of micro-isolated sarcocysts from skeletal and cardiac muscle of 12 reindeer were examined by light microscopy. On the basis of cyst structure and cyst wall structure 4 Sarcocystis spp. could be differentiated. New names have been proposed for 2 previously unnamed Sarcocystis spp. of reindeer, and S. grueneri has been redefined.S. rangiferi n. sp. had macroscopic cysts in skeletal muscle measuring 2106×403 µm. The cyst wall protrusions were finger-like and measured 13.2×6.7 µm. The cysts were surrounded by a layer of fibrillar material.S. tarandi n. sp. had micro- to macroscopic cysts primarily in skeletal muscle, but a few cysts were found in the heart of one animal. In skeletal muscle the cysts measured 999×75µm; in the heart the cysts were shorter and wider. The cyst wall protrusions were fingerlike and measured 9.2×2.2 µm.S. grueneri had micro- to macroscopic cysts in cardiac muscle measuring 581×137 µm. The cyst wall was thin and relatively smooth with no visible protrusions.Sarcocystis sp. had micro- to macroscopic, slender cysts in skeletal muscle measuring 916×64 µm. The cyst wall had tightly packed, short, knob-like protrusions. The cysts of this species were previously classified as cysts of S. grueneri. |
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Keywords: | cyst structure cyst wall structure intermediate host |
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