Equine Sarcocystosis in the Northern Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Authors: Bermukhametov Zhanaidar, Suleimanova Kulyay, Tomaruk Oksana, Baimenov Bakhit, Shevchenko Pavel, Batyrbekov Assylbek, Mikniene Zoja, Onur Girişgin Ahmet, Rychshanova Raushan
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Equine Sarcocystosis in Northern Kazakhstan Sarcocystis species represent a significant but often underrecognised parasitic threat to equine populations, yet epidemiological data from many regions remain sparse. Researchers in northern Kazakhstan examined muscle tissue samples (hearts, oesophagi, and diaphragms) from 132 slaughtered horses using combined histological and molecular genetic techniques to characterise the Sarcocystis burden and identify species present. Histological analysis revealed pathognomonic thick-walled cysts with internal septa and bradyzoites accompanied by inflammatory infiltrates, whilst polymerase chain reaction and phylogenetic analysis of 18 positive microcyst samples identified five distinct clades representing *Sarcocystis bertrami* (three clades) and *Sarcocystis fayeri* (two clades)—with close genetic homology to isolates previously documented in China and Japan, suggesting shared epidemiological pathways across Asia. For practitioners managing horses in Central Asian regions or those involved in meat production systems, these findings confirm active sarcocyst transmission and establish baseline prevalence data critical for developing targeted control strategies; the identification of specific species and their phylogenetic relationships should inform decisions about intermediate host management, feed contamination prevention, and surveillance protocols appropriate to the regional parasite ecology.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Sarcocystosis is present in northern Kazakhstan horses; veterinarians should consider this parasite in differential diagnoses and implement appropriate control measures based on identified species
- •The presence of both S. bertrami and S. fayeri suggests multiple transmission pathways may be operating; understanding these pathways is essential for developing effective prevention strategies
- •Post-mortem examination combined with molecular diagnostics is necessary to definitively identify Sarcocystis species and guide regional control protocols
Key Findings
- •Histological examination of 396 samples from 132 horses revealed thick-walled sarcocysts with internal septa and bradyzoites in heart, oesophagus, and diaphragm tissues
- •Molecular genetic analysis identified 18 sarcocysts comprising three clades of Sarcocystis bertrami and two clades of Sarcocystis fayeri
- •Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated close relationship between identified Sarcocystis species and equine isolates from China and Japan
- •This is the first histological and molecular identification of Sarcocystis spp. from microscopic equine sarcocysts in northern Kazakhstan, establishing baseline epizootic situation and parasitic contamination levels