Abstract
This study focused on the detection of Sarcocystis spp. in two species of rats, Rattus norvegicus
and R. tanezumi collected from agricultural area in Dasmarinas, Cavite. This aimed to
corroborate the presence of Sarcocystis spp. in different species of rats found in the agricultural
area. Further the establishment of different Sarcocystis spp in Rattus spp. based on the parasite's
morphologic characterization is also emphasized. Sixty-nine rats (36 R. norvegicus and 33 R.
tanezumi) were collected through trapping. Individual rodent autopsy for host identification was
performed by determining the morphological differences and external measurements prior to
dissection. Tissue samples were examined for the presence of white rice-grain sized nodules.
Morphological characteristics of the cysts, particularly the size, shape, and presence of
protrusions were noted. Statistical analysis using ANOVA for the significant difference on the
number of infected rats per species and across muscle type was done at p≤0.05. Infection in R.
tanezumi was higher (48.48%) as compared to R. norvegicus (41.67%), the difference however
was not significant. Sarcocysts burden was higher in the diaphragm in both rat species.
Generally, higher parasite load was observed in R. norvegicus. In both rat species, tissue cysts
ranged from spindle-shaped/fusiform to globular and oval-shaped. The sarcocysts in the
diaphragm were more varied. Consistently observed in the tongue were globular–shaped
sarcocysts while either fusiform- and globular-shaped sarcocysts in the diaphragm. These
differences suggest infection with more than one species of Sarcocystis. Hence, the presence of
Sarcocystis spp. confirmed the infectivity of the parasite to Rattus spp. Moreover, the different
morphologic characteristics observed on Sarcocystis prove the possibility of different species of
the parasite harboring the Rattus spp
Cristina G. Cabanacan-Salibay, Florencia G. Claveria, Hazel Anne Luyon-Tabo, Steven Paulo C. Salibay, Augusto C. Sumalde, Mario S. Torres, Julieta Zabal-Dungca. (2020) Morphologic characterization of Sarcocystis spp. histologically detected from the diaphragm and tongue of Rattus norvegicus and Rattus tanezumi, Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology, Volume 8, Issue 3.
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