Lab Anim Res.  2011 Dec;27(4):357-359. 10.5625/lar.2011.27.4.357.

Detection of sarcocystic infection in a wild rodent (Apodemus agrarius chejuensis) captured on Jeju island

• Kim TH
• Han JH
• Chang SN
• Kim DS
• Abdelkader TS
• Seok SH
• Park JH
• Oh HS
• Kim JT
• Lee BH
• Shin JH
• Kim JH
• Kim JM
• Park JH

• KMID: 1444971
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5625/lar.2011.27.4.357

Abstract

Sarcocystis spp is a causative agent of sarcocystosis. They have a characteristic life cycle infecting both prey and predator. Sarcocystis can cause myositis, atrophy of the adjacent cells and abortion in cattle. In mice, sarcocystosis causes mild cellular reactions without clinical disease. Severe haemorrhage and abortion were also reported. For monitoring the disease in wild rodents of the Korean peninsula, we captured Apodemus agrarius chejuensis on Jeju island and examined the specimen histopathologically. Intramuscular cysts were found and diagnosed as Sarcocystis. Sarcocystic infection has been reported in worldwide. There have been many reported infections in cattle and pigs in Korea. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Sarcocystis in Apodemus agrarius chejuensis captured in Korea.

Keyword

Sarcocystis; Apodemus agrarius chejuensis; Jeju island

MeSH Terms

Animals
Atrophy
Cattle
Korea
Life Cycle Stages
Mice
Murinae
Myositis
Rodentia
Sarcocystis
Sarcocystosis
Swine

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Sarcocystis in skeletal muscle of Apodemus agrarius chejuensis. Elongated cysts were found in muscle tissue. No inflammatory reaction was induced surrounding the cyst.

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