Molecular-Based Identification of Sarcocystis hominis in Belgian Minced Beef
2007
Vangeel, L. | Houf, K. | Chiers, K. | Vercruysse, J. | D'Herde, K. | Ducatelle, R.
Sarcocystis hominis, one of the three species of Sarcocystis that cause muscular cysts in cattle, is a protozoan parasite that can infect the human intestinal tract. The objective of the present study was to develop a new molecular identification method capable of discriminating among the bovine Sarcocystis species and to apply this tool in combination with stereo-microscopy to determine the presence of Sarcocystis spp. in minced beef in Belgium, with special attention to Sarcocystis hominis. A PCR technique based on the 18S rRNA sequence and by sequencing of the amplicon was highly specific. Sequence analysis of PCR products from thick-walled cysts collected from minced beef in Belgium revealed that S. hominis was present in 97.4% of the samples. Because the consumption of raw minced beef is common in Belgium and certain other European countries, these findings may point to an underestimated risk to public health.
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