Identification of Sarcocystis in raw hamburgers in Kashan,Iran

Sarcocystis is one of the most prevalent parasitic protozoa infecting human and animal with worldwide distribution. Cattle as an intermediate host of Sarcocystis are important sources of meat production for human. The aim of this study is determine of prevalence of Sarcocystis in hamburgers in Kashan region, central Iran. This descriptive study was conducted in Kashan region, 2015. Two hundred humburgers pieces with approximately 60% meat randomly collected in different brands. About 15-20 gram of each pieces digested in digest solution overnight at 28 °Caccording Douby method. Two smear prepared from sediment and stained by gimsa solution and microcopy examined for Sarcocystis cystizoite by 400 and 1000 maginification. Totally, 52.5% of samples were positive for sarcocystis spp. in various degrees. Forty samples (38.5%) of humburgers with 60-75% meat and 66 sample (68.75%) of humburgers with 90% meat were infected. High prevalence of infection to microscopic cyst of Sarcocystis in humburgers indicated a high rate of infection in meat production animals. Properly cooked meat before consumption is recommended for prevention of infection. Monitoring of health condition and food of animal which act as intermediated host and kept them from definitive host can be effective in decrease of animal infections.