A Study of Sarcocystis Infection in Mincemeat Using Digestion Method in Ghazvin, Iran

Background & Aims of the Study: Sarcocystiosis is a zoonosis appeared in domestic animals caused by various species of Sarcocystis. This protozoan disease has worldwide distribution among human and many species of animals. Humans acquire infection by eating of raw and under cooked beef, pork or mincemeat containing schizonts of Sarcocystis hominis and S. suihominis. The aim of present study is to detect prevalence of the Sarcocystis spp. infection in mincemeat samples at Ghazvin province of Iran. Materials & Methods:  Three hundred mincemeat samples of 150 sheep and 150 cattle were collected from butchers (in spring 2013) in different areas of Ghazvin province, Iran. The statistical analysis was done by independence sample t test, using SPSS ver. 22.0.0 (Chicago, IL, USA). Results: the finding of this study showed that the highest prevalence of Sarcocystis infection rate was observed in cattle (92.8%) and the lowest of that was evident in sheep (85.6%). The highest infection rates in both types of minced meat samples were in May (45 and 49 minced meat of sheep and cattle, respectively). Conclusions: The results revealed that Ghazvin province has the highest Sarcocystis infection rate. Regarding to the high prevalence of Sarcocystis contamination in this study, prevention of eating raw or under-cooked meat is strongly recommended.