Development of Sarcocystis suicanis Erber, 1977 in the pig

Abstract

Twenty-eight weanling pigs inoculated with sporocysts from an isolate of Sarcocystis suicanis from Georgia were examined at intervals ranging from 2 to 90 days postinoculation (DPI). Merogony was first observed histologically within the heart muscle 12 DPI and within 23 of 35 tissues examined 13 DPI. Most infected cells were "floating" in extravascular spaces and were near intact endothelial cells. In some cases, the infected cell clearly was an endothelial cell comprising a portion of the capillary wall. Immature sarcocysts containing metrocytes were observed in striated muscle 27 DPI, and bradyzoites were detected by digestion techniques 52 DPI. Sarcocysts matured between 27 and 80 DPI, after which thickness of the cyst wall and morphology of bradyzoites changed little. Dissolution of sarcocysts was detected as early as 38 DPI and was accompanied by ingress of plasma cells, lymphocytes, and occasionally, eosinophils. Based on information presented herein, feeder pigs reared on pasture may become infected, and infections mature well within the 100-day period usually considered necessary for production of marketable swine.