Ultrastructural study of the development of Sarcocystis singaporensis sarcocysts in the muscles of its rat host

Parasite. 2002 Jun;9(2):161-6. doi: 10.1051/parasite/2002092161.

Abstract

Laboratory rats fed sporocysts of Sarcocystis singaporensis (Zaman & Colley, 1975) Zaman & Colley, 1976 originating from Singapore were euthanized 22, 23, 33 and 80 days later. Sporocysts were extracted from feces of either naturally or laboratory-infected Python reticulatus. Electron microscopically examined longue and esophageal muscles yielded images of successive developing stages of sarcocysts. The primary wall evolved from a continuous thin layer into folds and later, into villar protrusions. At all stages the wall was interrupted by pinocytotic-like indentations. Young sarcocysts contained only metrocytes, they divided by endodyogeny into daughter metrocytes. The first bradyzoites appeared only 33 d.p.i. Sarcocysts by 80 d.p.i. were enclosed in a fully differentiated primary wall and contained almost entirely bradyzoites.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Boidae / parasitology
  • Esophagus / parasitology*
  • Host-Parasite Interactions
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Muscle, Smooth / parasitology*
  • Rats
  • Sarcocystis / growth & development*
  • Sarcocystis / ultrastructure
  • Sarcocystosis / parasitology*
  • Tongue / parasitology*