PREVALENCE AND DISTRIBUTION PATTERN OF SARCOCYSTIS SPP. INFECTION IN SLAUGHTERED CARABAOS AT SANTIAGO CITY ABATTOIR, PHILIPPINES

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and distribution pattern of Sarcocystis spp. infection in water buffalo carcasses since local news via television in Cagayan region reported an incident of condemnation of carcasses at Santiago City abattoir. A total of 1,015 newly slaughtered carcasses were grossly examined for the presence of macrocysts in the different muscles of the body. The prevalence and frequency distribution in terms of the sex, age, place of origin of the infected animals and the organs affected were expressed in terms of percentages. Fifty or (4.93%) of the 1,015 animal carcasses were found to be infected with macrocysts wherein 58% and 42% of which were found in female and male animals, respectively. Highest percentage of infection was observed in old age (42%), followed by the senile (36%), mature (20%) and young (2%) animals. The esophagus was found to be the most commonly affected organ (42/50 or 84%) by the macrocyst which was creamy white and oval and only 4% (2/50) was observed in striated muscles and 12% (6/50) in both the esophagus and striated muscles. Positive animals came from the different municipalities of Cagayan Valley, Philippines.