Sarcocystosis in a Stillborn Lamb

• Published in: Reproduction in domestic animals Vol. 49; no. 6; pp. e60 - e63
• Main Authors: Agerholm, JS, Dubey, JP
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-12-2014
• Subjects: Animal diseases; Animal reproduction; Animals; Female; Sarcocystosis - congenital; Sarcocystosis - parasitology; Sarcocystosis - veterinary; Sheep; Sheep Diseases - congenital; Sheep Diseases - parasitology; Stillbirth; Stillbirth - veterinary
• ISSN: 0936-6768; 1439-0531
• DOI: 10.1111/rda.12398

Contents
Confirmed congenital sarcocystosis has been reported extremely rarely in domestic ruminants. Sarcocystosis was diagnosed in a stillborn lamb with microscopic lesions predominantly in the central nervous system and placenta. Encephalitis was characterized by multiple foci of glial nodules some with central necrosis, perivascular cuffing and vascular occlusion, while placental lesions consisted of multifocal necroses, inflammation and mild calcification. Immature and mature schizonts were found in vascular endothelium of several organs. It is suggested that the protozoa were Sarcocystis tenella based on their morphology, location and as this is the most pathogenic Sarcocystis sp. parasitizing sheep.