Molecular Identification, Pathogenesis, and Life Cycle of Sarcocystis cruzi from Cattle (Bos taurus) in New Valley Governorate, Egypt.

Sarcocystis cruzi was identified by molecular methods from an intermediate host, cattle (Bos taurus), in El-Kharga, New Valley Governorate, Egypt, and its life cycle and pathogenicity were studied in the final host, dogs (Canis familiaris). 600 slaughtered cattle aged 6-8 years (480/120 males/females) were included. In addition, three laboratory-bred, coccidian-free puppies aged 2-3 months were fed infected bovine muscles to locate the definitive host and analyze sporogony. 18S rRNA-specific gene primers were used for DNA amplification from esophageal muscles. These polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons were subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and molecular sequence analysis. Infection was detected in 78.8% (473/600; 95% CI, 75.56-82.11%). Histopathological examination of esophageal muscles showed oval- to spherical-shaped cysts, 96.7 µm wide by 326.9 µm long; cysts in cardiac muscles were ovoid and smaller. Infected puppies began shedding sporocysts in feces 7 days post-inoculation and showed distorted organ architecture, severe cellular damage, and inflammatory lesions in liver, kidney, esophagus, and stomach. Three oocysts with different shapes and sizes were identified. Partial 18S rRNA gene sequences of isolated New Valley sarcocysts were identical to S. cruzi isolated from different areas, verifying their genetic relatedness. Our analysis suggests that S. cruzi is the most prevalent in slaughtered cattle in New Valley Governorate, Egypt.

Trematodes from Red Sea fishes: Neohypocreadium aegyptense n. sp. (Lepocreadiidae), Fairfaxia cribbi n. sp. and Macvicaria chrysophrys (Nagaty & Abdel-Aal, 1969) (Opecoelidae).

Specimens of the marine fishes Chaetodon lineolatus (Chaetodontidae), Lethrinus nebulosus (Lethrinidae) and Acanthopagrus bifasciatus (Sparidae) were caught in the Red Sea off the coast of Sharm El-Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt. Fifteen (75%), four (16%) and fourteen (35%) fish, respectively, were found to harbour intestinal trematodes. C. lineolatus was parasitised by Neohypocreadium aegyptense n. sp. (Lepocreadiidae), L. nebulosus by Fairfaxia cribbi n. sp. (Opecoelidae) and A. bifasciatus by Macvicaria chrysophrys (Nagaty & Abdel-Aal, 1969) Bray, 1985 (Opecoelidae). N. aegyptense n. sp. is most similar to N. chaetodoni (Mahavi, 1972), but is smaller and differs in having acinous rather than digitate ovarian lobes, vitelline follicles extending anteriorly to midway between the ventral sucker and the intestinal bifurcation and an external seminal vesicle extending posteriorly to reach the anterior margin of the ovary. The generic diagnosis of Neohypocreadium is amended. F. cribbi n. sp. resembles F. lethini Cribb, 1990, but differs in having relatively smaller gonads, cirrus-sac and eggs, and larger suckers and pharynx. M. chrysophrys, collected from its type-host and locality, is redescribed. Plagioporus saoudi Ramadan, 1985 is considered its synonym.