Molecular diagnostics of Sarcocystis spp. infections

• Published in: Polish journal of veterinary sciences Vol. 15; no. 3; pp. 589 - 596
• Main Authors: Stojecki, K., Karamon, J., Sroka, J., Cencek, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Versita 01.01.2012; Polish Academy of Sciences, Committee of Veterinary Sciences
• Subjects: Animals; Genotype; molecular diagnostics; PCR; Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Polymerase Chain Reaction - veterinary; sarcocystiosis; sarcocystis; Sarcocystis - classification; Sarcocystis - isolation & purification; Sarcocystosis - diagnosis; Sarcocystosis - veterinary; Sensitivity and Specificity; Species Specificity
• ISSN: 1505-1773; 2300-2557
• DOI: 10.2478/v10181-012-0090-7

Protozoa of the genus Sarcocystis (phylum Apicomplexa, family Sarcocystidae) is one of the most common parasites affecting animals. Interspecies diagnostic of Sarcocystis genus was based on electron microscopy for many years. Because of absence of visible differences between species with reachable magnifications, light microscopy is useless. In many cases serological diagnostic method have lack of sensitivity. A variety of molecular methods have been developed and used to detect and identify Sarcocystis spp. and to assess the genetic diversity among this protozoan from different population/hosts. Nowadays, molecular diagnostic is the common, time/cost effective method used all over the world to interspecies differentiation.