Characterization of an unidentified Sarcocystis falcatula-like parasite from the South American opossum, Didelphis albiventris from Brazil

Citation
Jp. Dubey et al., Characterization of an unidentified Sarcocystis falcatula-like parasite from the South American opossum, Didelphis albiventris from Brazil, J EUKAR MIC, 47(6), 2000, pp. 538-544
Citations number
24
Categorie Soggetti
Biology,Microbiology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY
ISSN journal
10665234 → ACNP
Volume
47
Issue
6
Year of publication
2000
Pages
538 - 544
Database
ISI
SICI code
1066-5234(200011/12)47:6<538:COAUSF>2.0.ZU;2-R
Abstract
An unidentified isolate of a Sarcocystis falcatula-like parasite was obtain ed from the lungs of budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) fed sporocysts f rom a naturally-infected South American opossum, Didelphis albiventris from Brazil. Four captive budgerigars fed sporocysts from the opossum intestine died of acute sarcocystosis 8, 10, and 12 days after oral inoculation (DAI ); one budgerigar was killed 12 DAI when it was lethargic. Schizonts and me rozoites found in the lungs of the budgerigars reacted mildly with polyclon al S. falcatula antibody. The parasite was isolated in equine kidney cell c ultures inoculated with lung tissue from a budgerigar that was killed 12 DA I. Two budgerigars inoculated subcutaneously with 100,000 culture-derived S . falcatula merozoites developed acute sarcocystosis and S. falcatula-like schizonts were found in their lungs 15 and 16 DAI. Four budgerigars kept as unfed controls in the same environment remained free of Sarcocystis infect ion. The parasite underwent schizogony in African green monkey kidney cells and bovine turbinate cells. Merozoites divided by endopolygeny, often leav ing a residual body. Polymerase chain reaction studies using primers JNB33/ JNB54 and Hinf I and Dra I digestion indicated that the isolate was not S. falcatula. Results of this study indicated that the South American opossum, D. albiventris, is a definitive host for yet another S. falcatula-like par asite.