Screening of seropositive sarcocystis (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae, Lankester1882) in sheep using counterimmunoelectrophoresis.

Sarcocystosis has been reported from most parts of the world، including ruminant animals in Iran. Based on this، immunoelectrophoresis profile of Sarcocystis and comparison between serum and necropsy findings to determine sensitivity and specifity of counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) was undertaken. For this purpose، serum was collected from a total number of 100 sheep. Soluble antigen provided using infected tissues، as well. CIE analysis was conducted using negative and positive controls. Results indicated that seropositive sheep sample was 27%. Data analysis showed that specifity and sensitivity of this test were 100% and 83%، respectively. It is concluded that CIE is a reliable test to screen infected animals by Sarcocystis spp.