Detection of sarcocystis infection by molecular methods using COX 1 and 18srRNA genes in cattle and buffaloes of Urmia

Due to the importance of Sarcocystis as a common zoonotic disease in public health, in this study, the infection rate of Sarcocystis infection and molecular identification of its species by using COX1 and 18srRNA genes in slaughtered cattle and buffaloes of the abattoir of Urmia was investigated. For this purpose, samples were taken from the intercostal muscles, diaphragm, esophagus, and thighs of 100 cows and 100 buffaloes slaughtered in the slaughterhouse of Urmia city in 2021. At first, macroscopic and microscopic evaluation were performed on samples. Then, DNA was extracted from homogenized tissues and molecular investigations were done using COX1 and 18srRNA genes. In the macroscopic examination, none of the samples obtained from cows were infected with sarcocystis, while this protozoan was isolated from 11 (%11) samples obtained from buffaloes. The infection rate in the impression smear method in cow and buffaloes samples were 27 (%27) and 16 (%16) and in peptic digestion method was 37 (%37) and 23 (%23), respectively. In parallel, molecular evaluation confirmed the presence of sarcocystis infection in 39 cases (39%) out of 100 cow carcasses and 26 cases (26%) out of 100 studied buffalo carcasses. The findings of this study indicate relatively high infection rate in cattle and buffalo populations of the province. The findings of this study indicate relatively high infection rate in cattle and buffalo populations of the province. So, it is suggested to avoid eating raw and undercooked meat.