SARCOCYSTIS MEPHITISI N. SP. (PROTOZOA: SARCOCYSTIDAE), SARCOCYSTIS NEURONA-LIKE AND TOXOPLASMA-LIKE INFECTIONS IN STRIPED SKUNKS (MEPHITIS MEPHITIS)

• Published in: The Journal of parasitology Vol. 88; no. 1; pp. 113 - 117
• Main Authors: Dubey, J. P, Hamir, A. N, Topper, M. J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lawrence, KS American Society of Parasitologists 01-02-2002; Allen Press Inc
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Bradyzoites; Cysts; Feces; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Infections; Intermediate hosts; Mephitidae; Mephitidae - parasitology; Microscopy; Microscopy, Electron; Microtubules; Muscle, Skeletal - parasitology; Muscle, Skeletal - pathology; Muscles; Oregon; Parasite hosts; Parasites; Parasitology; Protozoa; Sarcocystis - classification; Sarcocystis - growth & development; Sarcocystis - isolation & purification; Sarcocystosis - parasitology; Sarcocystosis - pathology; Sarcocystosis - physiopathology; Sarcocystosis - veterinary; Sarcocysts; Skunks; SYSTEMATICS-PHYLOGENETICS; Systematics. Geographical distribution. Morphology. Cytology; Taxonomy; Tongue - parasitology; Tongue - pathology; Toxoplasmosis, Animal - parasitology; Toxoplasmosis, Animal - pathology; Toxoplasmosis, Animal - physiopathology; Oregon; United States; North America; America; United States > US; Fissipedia; Protozoa; Host parasite relation; Apicomplexa; Carnivora; Protozoal disease; Taxonomy; Diagnosis (taxonomy); Parasite; Zoopathogen; Parasitosis; Infection; Toxoplasma; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Transmission electron microscopy; Ultrastructure; Morphology; New species
• ISSN: 0022-3395; 1937-2345
• DOI: 10.1645/0022-3395(2002)088[0113:SMNSPS]2.0.CO;2

Two structurally distinct types (A, B) of microscopic sarcocysts were found in muscles of 4 of 5 feral skunks. Type A sarcocysts had sarcocyst walls of up to 6 μm thick. The villar protrusions (Vp) on the sarcocyst wall were up to 5 μm long. The Vp were constricted at the base, expanded in the middle, and had a blunt tip. Numerous microtubules were present in the Vp and in the granular layer. Bradyzoites were up to 11 μm long and up to 3.2 μm wide. Based on the distinctiveness of the Vp, a new name, Sarcocystis mephitisi is proposed for type A sarcocysts. Type B sarcocysts had a relatively thin (∼1–2 μm thick) sarcocyst wall and the Vp were slender and tapered toward the tip. These sarcocysts were structurally similar to S. neurona sarcocysts. A Toxoplasma gondii–like tissue cyst was found in a section of tongue of 1 of the 4 skunks.