Sarcocyst Quantification and Viability: Freezing Treatment as an Alternative to Carcass Condemnation

• Published in: Acta parasitologica 2023-03, Vol.68 (1), p.277-281
• Main Authors: Rodrigues de Freitas, Bibiana, Roman, Isac Junior, Reis, Bibiana Rossi, de Souza Rodrigues, Fernando, Braünig, Patrícia, Cargnelutti, Juliana Felipetto, Cunha, Rodrigo Casquero, Vogel, Fernanda Silveira Flôres
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abattoirs; Animal products; Animal Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Animals; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Bradyzoites; Carcasses; Cattle; Cysts; Ecology; Economic impact; Food safety; Freezing; Heart; Inspection; Medical Microbiology; Microbiology; Parasitology; Sarcocystis; Sarcocystosis - parasitology; Sarcocystosis - veterinary; Sarcocysts; Short Communication; Tissues; Viability; Zoonoses
• ISSN: 1230-2821; 1896-1851
• DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00656-9

Purpose The inspection of animal products is important for controlling parasitic zoonoses. Some processes that guarantee food safety to consumers such as carcass condemnation cause economic losses. This study aimed to detect Sarcocystis cysts in cattle hearts obtained from slaughterhouses and to evaluate sarcocyst viability after freezing treatment. Methods When myocardial tissues were minced and subjected to fresh examination, sarcocysts were observed in all analyzed tissues resulting in 21.73 cysts/g of tissue. Sarcocyst viability was verified after tissue freezing at 35 ± 2 °C and – 20 ± 2 °C for 0–12 h. After freezing, the tissues were minced, and sarcocysts were collected and stained with Tripan Blue. In addition, cysts were mechanically disrupted to check bradyzoite viability. Results Cysts and bradyzoites were unviable at – 35 °C for ≥ 3 h and − 20 °C for ≥ 8 h. Conclusion These results suggest freezing treatment as an alternative to condemnation of cattle carcasses contaminated with Sarcocystis spp. Similar studies using freezing treatment with other animals infected by Sarcocystis must be conducted.