DefinePK

Abstract

The paper presents the results indicating the spread of bovine sarcocystosis in the Kostanay region, Kazakhstan. Muscle samples from 358 cattle carcasses were examined for sarcocysts. The neck muscles in bulls from the eastern zone and the skeleton and diaphragm muscles in cows from the western zone were severely infected. The least infected were the neck muscles in bulls from the northern zone and the skeletal muscles in the southern zone. The extent of the infection equaled 77.4% of the studied livestock. Based on the molecular genetic analysis and comparison of cytochrome-c-oxidase (cox1) sequences, three types of bovine sarcocysts were identified for the first time in the Kostanay region: S. cruzi, S. bovifelis, and S. dehongensis. This study highlights the significant prevalence of sarcocystosis in the Kostanay region, demonstrating the utility of cox1 gene sequencing in identifying different Sarcocystis species. These findings underline the need for improved control and prevention strategies to mitigate the impact on cattle health and productivity.