PREVALENCE AND GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF Sarcocystis fusiformis IN WATER BUFFALOES (Bubalus bubalis) IN TWO NORTHERN PROVINCES OF EGYPT

Sarcocystosis considerably occurs in a wide host range including animals, reptiles, humans, and birds. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. using abattoir inspection, genetic characterization, as well histopathology water buffaloes two provinces, Elbehera Kafrelsheikh, Egypt. Specimens were collected from esophagus, tongue, masseters 400 slaughtered (n= 215) Kafrelsheikh 185). Samples examined macroscopically histopathologically. Furthermore, characterization performed 18SrRNA gene-based PCR. The total 71.0% (75.3% 65.9% respectively). Aged had higher than young ones. Females males. esophagus most infected organ. Molecular analysis revealed that recovered species S. fusiformis. is first fusiformis Higher proposed potential role cats transmission fusiformis, which, turn, requires strict hygienic measures protect animals humans infection.