First report of naturally acquired clinical sarcocystosis in a pig breeding stock

Gross lesions associated with Sarcocystis miescheriana in a wild boar hunted for human consumption: the importance of trained hunters to ensure animal health surveillance and food safety

Sarcocystis is a genus of protozoa with a worldwide distribution infecting a wide range of animals, including humans. Wild boars can harbor at least two species of Sarcocystis, that is, the zoonotic Sarcocystis suihominis, using humans as definitive hosts, and Sarcocystis miescheriana, for which wild and domestic canids serve as definitive hosts. In Portugal, hunting holds significant economic and social importance, and wild boars are among the most appreciated hunted species. As the consumption of wild boar meat can expose humans to several foodborne pathogens, the presence of trained hunters can make a difference in ensuring animal health surveillance and food safety. Herein, we report the detection of macroscopic cystic lesions associated with S. miescheriana in a wild boar hunted for human consumption, resulting in carcass condemnation. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the presence of S. miescheriana in wild boar tissues has never been associated with macroscopic pathological alterations before. Although S. miescheriana cannot infect humans, carcasses affected by grossly visible pathological changes must be declared unfit for consumption. Therefore, our finding points out the potential economic damage associated with carcass rejection due to the presence of gross lesions associated with generalized sarcocystosis. Nonetheless, further studies are required to investigate these alterations that currently appear to be occasional findings.

Disseminated Sarcocystis miescheriana infection in a finisher pig in Grenada

Sarcocystis miescheriana infection is an important cause of carcass condemnation during meat inspection. The infection can cause morbidity and mortality in domestic pigs. In this study, an 8-month-old finisher pig was presented to a local abattoir for slaughter. Multiple white nodular lesions affecting the meat were observed, resulting in the condemnation of the carcass. Consequently, half of the carcass was submitted to the necropsy diagnostic laboratory in the School of Veterinary Medicine for further evaluation. Grossly, all superficial and deep muscle groups had severe multifocal macrocysts (3 mm × 2 mm × 1 mm) on the surface and extending deep into the skeletal musculature. Histopathology revealed moderate multifocal granulomatous and eosinophilic myositis with intralesional degenerated and intact parasites. Sample genomic DNA sequence analysis of the 18S RNA gene showed 100% identity to S. miescheriana in the GenBank. This is the first report of S. miescheriana in Grenada, West Indies.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Sarcocystis spp. in pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) from Argentina

Sarcocystis spp. are intracellular protozoan parasites with an obligatory heteroxenous life cycle. The objective of this study was to identify Sarcocystis spp. in pig muscles from Argentina, by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and molecular studies. Muscles samples from 561 pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) were classified according to the breeding system in: intensive farming (IF, n = 295; animals kept in confinement during most of their productive cycle), or semi-extensive farming (SEF, n = 266; animals bred outdoors, generally family or backyard production). Results showed that 24.8% (139/561) were positive by light microscopy, with a significantly higher prevalence in the SEF (34.6%; 92/266) than the IF pigs (15.9%; 47/295) (p < 0.05). Of the 202 samples analyzed by PCR, 96 were positive (47.5%) for the 18S rRNA (18S ribosomal RNA) fragment. All samples analyzed by the S. suihominis specific coxI (mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) PCR (n = 235; 96 positives by 18S rRNA PCR and 139 positives by light microscopy) were negative. Fourteen individual cysts were positive for the 18S rRNA PCR and sequenced. Consensus sequences obtained from the 18S rRNA fragment PCR ranged from 613 to 880 bp and showed 100% of identity between them and with previously reported S. miescheriana sequences. In all the pig samples analyzed by TEM, cyst wall ultrastructure was compatible with S. miescheriana. This is the first study that provides infection rates and describes and identifies morphological and molecular features of Sarcocystis spp. cysts in pigs from Argentina.

Prevalence and distribution pattern of Sarcocystis spp. in slaughtered cattle from the Peruvian tropical Andes, Peru

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and distribution patterns of Sarcocystis spp. in cattle tissues in Chachapoyas province in the Peruvian tropical Andes. Additionally, the risk factors associated with the prevalence and the correlation of two diagnostic techniques (direct microscopy of squashed fresh muscle tissues and histopathology) were explored. The tongue, heart, esophagus, Latissimus dorsi muscle, and diaphragm of 210 animals slaughtered in the municipal slaughterhouse of Chachapoyas were evaluated by both techniques. Macroscopic sarcocysts were detected in 16.7% of tissues (CI 95% 11.7-21.7%). The total prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. was 96.2% (95% CI 93.6-98.8%) by direct light microscopy and 100% by histopathology. The highest Sarcocystis prevalence was detected in the esophagus. No significant statistical differences were found in the prevalence of Sarcocystis related to sex, age, or provenance. Both techniques demonstrated a very weak Kappa correlation (κ ≤ 0.24) in predicting the presence of the parasite in each of the five evaluated muscles. Direct microscopy can be implemented at slaughterhouses as a rapid screening test, but it is essential to confirm by histopathology the absence of the parasite in direct-microscopy-negative samples. It is also recommended that beef from the Peruvian Andes be thoroughly cooked for both human and animal consumption because of the zoonotic potential of some species of Sarcocystis.

Macroscopic sarcocystosis in a pig carcass from an Italian abattoir

Different food-safety institutions, including the European Food Safety Authority, encourage monitoring and characterising Sarcocystis spp. in animals and foodstuffs; among meat-producing animals, domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) can host two different Sarcocystis spp., that is Sarcocystis miescheriana and the zoonotic Sarcocystis suihominis. Herein, we report for the first time the presence of macrocysts of Sarcocystis miescheriana in a domestic pig resulting in carcass condemnation. In North-West Italy, in June 2022 the carcass of a clinically healthy sow was condemned due to the detection of multifocal macroscopic whitish fusiform lesions. Affected muscle samples were submitted to histological and molecular analyses targeting the mtDNA cox1 and 18S rRNA genes. At gross examination and histology, well demarcated, oval or elongated macrocysts up to 8 mm in length characterized by a calcified central core surrounded by fibrosis were detected. The molecular amplification and sequencing of the cox1 mtDNA and 18S rRNA genes revealed the presence of Sarcocystis miescheriana DNA in all sampled macrocysts. Our study provides the first molecularly confirmed case of Sarcocystis miescheriana infection in a domestic pig in Italy. The present report highlights the need to increase data related to the occurrence and the prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. in meat-producing animals, and in wild and domestic pigs in particular, taking into account the zoonotic potential of Sarcocystis suihominis and the possible financial losses related to carcass discard due to macroscopic Sarcocystis spp. cysts.

Molecular differentiation of Sarcocystis miescheriana and Sarcocystis suihominis using a new multiplex PCR targeting the mtDNA cox1 gene in wild boars in southern Italy

The increase of wild boar populations density and their meat consumption across Europe could expose humans to a plethora of foodborne diseases as sarcocystosis, caused by the zoonotic protozoan Sarcocystis suihominis. Humans become infected by eating raw or undercooked pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) containing S. suihominis sarcocysts. Despite this, to date very few data are available on the risk of infection by this parasite to wild boar (Sus scrofa) meat consumers. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the occurrence of Sarcocystis spp. in wild boars from southern Italy, applying both histology and a new multiplex PCR assay targeting the cox1 gene. Between 2019 and 2020, 997 muscle tissues (i.e., n = 269 oesophagus, n = 277 diaphragms, n = 298 hearts, n = 153 tongues) from 311 wild boars were collected and screened by a combined histological and molecular approach. Overall, 251 (80.7%) animals tested were positive for Sarcocystis spp., and S. miescheriana whose definitive hosts are canids, was the only molecularly identified species. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in the prevalence of Sarcocystis infection was found according to the wild boar age and muscle tissue. Findings outlined the low zoonotic potential of infection to humans via wild boar meat consumption in Italy and the importance of the application of new molecular methods in distinguishing different Sarcocystis species.

The occurrence of Sarcocystis spp. in the myocardium of alpacas (Vicugna pacos) with associated risk factors in the Peruvian Andes

Sarcocystis masoni n. sp. (known as "S. lamacanis") infects alpacas affecting their productivity and can cause a food poisoning syndrome in humans by consuming contaminated, undercooked cardiac muscle. There are few studies estimating the prevalence of this parasite in alpacas, although this information is crucial for the control and prevention of sarcocystosis. This study aimed to determine the frequency and density of Sarcocystis masoni n. sp. in the heart of alpacas in Huancavelica, a province of the Andean region of Peru. Heart samples were taken for histopathology from 104 alpacas slaughtered at the municipal slaughterhouse of Huancavelica, the official abattoir in the Huancavelica district. No macroscopic sarcocysts were observed. All alpacas (100%) had microscopic sarcocysts of Sarcocystis masoni n. sp., with no inflammatory reactions. The alpacas showed an average sarcocyst density of 60.8 ± 23.3/mm². Sarcocysts density was significantly higher (p < 0.05) as the age of the animals increased. In addition, sarcocysts density was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in male animals aged 4 and 5 years compared to females of the same age. These results confirmed that heart sarcocystosis is highly endemic in Peruvian alpacas. Therefore, it is recommended that alpaca hearts be well-cooked at the time of consumption. The present study showed current data and contributes to the knowledge of this parasitosis. Studies of this nature are necessary because they are the basis for developing animal health programs.

Identification of Sarcocystis spp. in wild boars (Sus scrofa) from Argentina

Sarcocystis spp. are intracellular protozoan parasites with an obligatory heteroxenous life cycle. The objective of this study is to identify Sarcocystis spp. in wild boar muscles from Argentina by light and transmission electron microscopy and molecular characterization. Muscle samples from diaphragm, tongue, masseter, intercostals, heart, and forelimbs of 240 wild boars were analyzed. Of the animals, 48.3% (116/240) were positive for sarcocysts by light microscopy, whereas 45.8% (110/240) were positive for Sarcocystis spp. by PCR targeting 18S rRNA fragment. These samples were subjected to a specific PCR for S. suihominis coxI gene, 3.6% (4/110) of which were weak positives. Unfortunately, sequence analysis was inconclusive. This could be related to a potentially low S. suihominis cyst load in the samples, or to an incomplete primer matching with the South American S. suihominis sequences. Seventeen individual sarcocysts were positive by PCR for the 18S rRNA fragment, whose sequences showed 99.75-100% identity with each other and with previously reported S. miescheriana sequences. A total of 21 cysts collected from 11 muscle samples and analyzed by TEM presented a cyst wall type compatible with S. miescheriana, and one cyst presented an ultrastructure compatible with S. suihominis. The latter came from a sample that also contained S. miescheriana cysts, indicating that the animal was co-infected. This is the first study that provides infection rates and describes and identifies morphological and molecular features of Sarcocystis spp. cysts in wild boars from South America.

M. Bulla-Castañeda DMBC, López Buitrago HA, Díaz Anaya AM, Madeira de Carvalho LM, Pulido-Medellín MO. Sarcocystis spp., a parasite with zoonotic potential

Sarcocystosis infection is caused by protozoan cysts of genus Sarcocystis spp. where S. hominis, S. heydorni (bovines) and S. suihominis (porcine) are the most relevant for humans because of their zoonotic potential. S. cruzi, S. suihominis and S. ovicanis represent the most pathogenic species for cattle, pigs and sheep respectively. This infection has a worldwide importance due to its high transmission; besides to represent a zoonosis, it generates great economics losses. The main diagnostic methods for this disease are artificial digestion, PCR, indirect ELISA, and compression analysis. It’s important to highlight few studies on Sarcocystis spp., especially the ones involving the pursuit of effective treatments to control the infection for both humans and animals, however, some studies have reported that treatments such as cotrimoxazole and albendazole with or without prednisone are effective in counteracting symptoms in humans, considering the lack of reports about Sarcocystis spp. prevalence in Colombia.

Sarcocystis infection in red deer (Cervus elaphus) with eosinophilic myositis/fasciitis in Switzerland and involvement of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and hunting dogs in the transmission

Red deer (Cervus elaphus) carcasses showing grey-greenish discolouration have been increasingly observed in the canton of Grisons, Switzerland. We investigated whether Sarcocystis infections were associated with this pathology, and whether wild and domestic canids were involved in their transmission. Meat from affected red deer (n = 26), faeces and intestines from red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) (n = 126), and faeces from hunting dogs (n = 12) from the region, were analysed. Eosinophilic myositis and/or fasciitis were diagnosed in 69% of the deer, and sarcocysts were observed in 89% of the animals. Molecular typing targeting a ~700bp variable region of the 18S rRNA gene revealed Sarcocystis hjorti in 73%, S. venatoria/S. iberica in 54%, S. linearis/S. taeniata in 12%, S. pilosa in 8% and S. ovalis in 4% of the deer samples. No inflammatory changes were observed in red deer carcasses with normal appearance (n = 8); however, sarcocysts were observed in one sample, and S. hjorti, S. venatoria/S. iberica or S. silva DNA was detected in five samples. Sarcocystis oocysts/sporocysts were observed in 11/106 faecal and 6/20 intestinal fox samples, and in 2/12 canine samples. Sarcocystis tenella (n = 8), S. hjorti (n = 2), S. gracilis (n = 2), and S. miescheriana (n = 1) were identified in foxes, and S. gracilis (n = 2), S. capreolicanis (n = 1) and S. linearis/S. taeniata (n = 1) in dogs. This study provides first molecular evidence of S. pilosa and S. silva infection in red deer and S. linearis/S. taeniata in dogs and represents the first record of S. ovalis transmitted by corvids in Central Europe. Although Sarcocystis species infecting red deer are not regarded as zoonotic, the affected carcasses can be declared as unfit for human consumption due to the extensive pathological changes.

Genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of Sarcocystis suihominis infecting domestic pigs (Sus scrofa) in India

A total of 57 tissue samples of domestic pigs (Sus scrofa) were collected from the meat outlets of five north Indian states and examined for sarcocystosis by histological and molecular methods. The genomic DNA extracted from five representative positive isolates was subjected to PCR amplification of the partial 18S rRNA gene followed by cloning and sequencing. Sequence analysis of the newly generated Indian isolates recorded 96.9-100.0% identity with published sequences of Sarcocystis suihominis. Two new haplotypes that have not been previously described manifested 99.5-100.0% nucleotide homology within themselves. In the phylogenetic analysis, Indian isolates of S. suihominis grouped together with S. suihominis originating from Italy, and they collectively formed a sister clade with Sarcocystis miescheriana within a clade containing various Sarcocystis spp. of ruminants having felids as final hosts. At the same time, this clade separated from a sister clade containing Sarcocystis spp. of bovid or cervid ruminants using canids as known or surmised definitive host. The current study established the phylogenetic relationship of Indian isolates of S. suihominis with various Sarcocystis spp. as well as with other taxa of Sarcocystidae family based on 18S rRNA gene for the first time.

Prevalence and molecular characterisation of Sarcocystis miescheriana and Sarcocystis suihominis in wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Italy

A sample of the diaphragm was collected from each of 100 wild boars legally hunted in the Val Grande National Park in north-western Italy and examined for the presence of Sarcocystis infection by histological and molecular methods. In histological sections, thick-walled sarcocysts consistent with those of Sarcocystis miescheriana were detected in 32 wild boars. Genomic DNA extracted from diaphragm samples was initially subjected to PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region, and 97 wild boars were found to harbour a Sarcocystis infection at this screening. Selected DNA samples were then subjected to PCR amplification and sequencing of the ITS1 region and the 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes of the nuclear ribosomal DNA unit, while all positive samples were subjected to PCR amplification of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) gene. S. miescheriana was identified in 97 wild boars (97%), while the zoonotic Sarcocystis suihominis was identified in one wild boar (1%), which also harboured S. miescheriana. Intra-specific sequence variation was found in all four DNA regions of S. miescheriana examined and in the 18S rRNA gene and ITS1 region of S. suihominis. The partial cox1 gene was amplified and sequenced from 72 isolates of S. miescheriana, yielding 43 haplotypes with pairwise sequence identities of 97.6-99.9%. These haplotypes were 79.1-79.8% identical with the cox1 sequence of S. suihominis. Phylogeny based on cox1 sequences placed S. miescheriana and S. suihominis as sister species within a clade comprising mainly Sarcocystis spp. of ruminants with felids as known or presumed definitive hosts. The same was true for the phylogeny based on 18S rRNA gene sequences.

[Interstitial nephritis in pigs]

OBJECTIVE

Interstitial nephritis as a form of renal diseases can be found frequently among pigs. Nevertheless, prevalence and aetiology need to be investigated in more detail as reports about detailed analysis are lacking.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In the present study, a total of 169 kidneys of conventionally and organically raised pigs were randomly chosen at slaughter and classified according to the degree of inflammation and the participating inflammatory cells. Moreover, PCV2 as an infectious agent was analysed by immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridisation.

RESULTS

All of the investigated kidneys displayed mild interstitial lesions. Inflammatory cells included lymphocytes, macrophages, plasma cells, eosinophilic and neutrophilic granulocytes. Significant (p ≤ 0.0001) differences concerning the grade of inflammation and inflammatory cell occurrence could be observed between kidneys of conventionally and organically raised pigs. In comparison to conventionally raised pigs organically raised pigs showed significant (p ≤ 0.0001) more frequently a mild form of nephritis as well as a significant (p ≤ 0.0001) more frequent occurrence of lymphocytes and macrophages. In contrast to that, conventionally raised pigs had a significant (p ≤ 0.0001) higher occurrence rate of a mild to moderate form of nephritis as well as a significant (p ≤ 0.0001) higher level in occurrence of lymphocytes, macrophages, plasma cells, and neutrophilic granulocytes when compared to organically raised pigs. PCV2 DNA was detected in the kidney of only one animal.

CONCLUSION

Interstitial nephritis was found in conventionally and organically raised pigs and PCV2 was ruled out as a major pathogen for interstitial nephritis in slaughter pigs.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Because of the high prevalence and unknown cause further investigations are necessary to delineate the clinic relevance of this alteration and its pathogenesis.

Occurrence and first molecular characterization of Sarcocystis spp. in wild boars (Sus scrofa) and domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) in Romania: Public health significance of the isolates

Domestic and wild pigs, as intermediate hosts, can harbor tissue cysts of three Sarcocystis species namely S. miescheriana, S. suihominis and S. porcifelis. Out of them, S. suihominis is zoonotic. Romania is a country with high consumption of raw and/or undercooked traditional pork products. This fact may greatly favor the acquiring of the zoonotic Sarcocystis infections by humans, as definitive host. Based on this consideration and in order to investigate the occurrence and public health significance of Sarcocystis spp. in two western counties (Caraş-Severin and Timiş) of Romania, a total of 165 heart samples from hunted wild boars (Sus scrofa, n=101) and home slaughtered domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus, n=64) were screened using microscopic fresh examination and molecular methods. Microscopic examination revealed the presence of sarcocysts in 60.4% of wild boars, and 23.4% of domestic pigs. Genetic characterization of isolates through the PCR-RFLP procedure, targeting the 18S rRNA gene, was successfully achieved for all microscopically positive samples, indicating the presence of a single species, S. miescheriana, in both hosts. The identity of 13 selected S. miescheriana isolates was also confirmed through sequencing. The tested hosts older than 27 months were found to be significantly higher infected (p<0.05) with Sarcocystis than the 6 to ≤27months age group. Although the human infective S. suihominis has not been registered, for a more reliable epidemiological picture, further molecular studies enrolling a larger number of animals and diagnosis on human intestinal Sarcocystis infections are still necessary.

Detection of Zoonotic Protozoa Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis suihominis in Wild Boars from Spain

Food safety regulations require the control of the presence of protozoa in meats destined for human consumption. Wild boar (Sus scrofa) meat may constitute a source of zoonoses. A 23.8% (688/2881) seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and 72.2% (662/910) Sarcocystis sarcocysts prevalence were detected among wild boars hunted in Southwestern areas of Spain. Identity of Sarcocystis spp. was performed by RFLP-PCR and sequencing, detecting S. miescheriana (7/8) and the zoonotic S. suihominis (1/8). Risk assessment studies of these coccidian in meats destined to human consumption are needed.

Unraveling Sarcocystis miescheriana and Sarcocystis suihominis infections in wild boar

Sarcocystis species are worldwide spread cyst-forming protozoa that can infect wild boar but little is known about the prevalence of these parasites. In this study we assessed the prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. infections in wild boars from northeastern Portugal, for which novel PCR testing assays targeting Sarcocystis genus, S. miescheriana and S. suihominis were implemented, and risk factors potentially associated with these infections were evaluated. Samples from muscle tissue, namely diaphragm (n=102), oesophagus (n=96) and heart (n=101), were collected from a total of 103 wild boar hunted between October 2011 and February 2012. Diaphragm muscle was used for the PCR detection of Sarcocystis nucleic acids since a higher proportion of samples showed the presence of cysts during histological examination. PCR assay targeting Sarcocystis genus yielded a 73.8% infection rate, which indicate a high level of exposure to these protozoan parasites among wild boars. These samples showed to be positive with the S. miescheriana-specific PCR assay and no sample was positive with the S. suihominis-specific assay, suggesting that a single species infecting wild boar is circulating in Portugal. These results were confirmed by the partial sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene amplified from selected samples from different geographic regions. Adults, young adults and female wild boars were found to be more likely infected. Hunters have an important role in the life cycle of S. miescheriana since potentially infected viscera and carcasses can be left behind promoting the protozoan dissemination to the scavenging final hosts. If hunting dogs bite and ingest infected meat they can perpetuate the life cycle of Sarcocystis spp. spreading oocysts or sporocysts in the environment.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Sarcocystis miescheriana from pigs in the central region of China

Sarcocystosis is an important food-borne parasitosis in humans and various animals. Sarcocystis miescheriana and Sarcocystis suihominis are pathogenic to pigs; S. suihominis is also distinctly pathogenic to humans. Intermediate and final hosts can harbor more than one Sarcocystis species, so the exact identification for Sarcocystis infection in various hosts is essential to control sarcocystosis in humans and important economic animals including pigs. In this study, four isolates of sarcocysts from slaughtered pigs (SmJY1-SmJY4) in the central region of China, in Henan province, were collected and examined by transmission electron microscopy and 18S rRNA sequence analysis to identify the Sarcocystis species in pigs in China. The results showed that cysts in the diaphragm muscles have a thick cyst wall with a number of palisade-like protrusions up to 4.38 μm in length. Inside these protrusions, there were 13-16 fibrils per protrusion. Bradyzoites in cysts showed typical characteristics of Apicomplexa including a conoid, many micronemes, dense bodies, one big nucleus, and a number of amylopectin granules. These ultrastructural results suggest that characteristics of tissue cysts of the isolates SmJY1-SmJY4 were similar to those of S. miescheriana. The sequence similarities of SmJY1-SmJY4 with S. miescheriana were 99-99.5 %, and the sequence similarities of SmJY1-SmJY4 with S. suihominis were much lower. Results of the ultrastructural observation in combination with molecular characterization based on the 18S rRNA sequence represent the first demonstration of S. miescheriana in pigs in China. In addition, results of the histological examination showed that the cysts of S. miescheriana had two types of cyst wall, a palisade-like thick wall and another smoothly thin wall, and could cause obvious atrophy, degeneration, and necrosis of muscle fibers in the diaphragm of naturally infected pigs. These findings will provide an important reference for the examination of Sarcocystis species in the slaughter quarantine of live pigs and in the control of sarcocystosis in pigs.

Molecular diagnostics of Sarcocystis spp. infections

Protozoa of the genus Sarcocystis (phylum Apicomplexa, family Sarcocystidae) is one of the most common parasites affecting animals. Interspecies diagnostic of Sarcocystis genus was based on electron microscopy for many years. Because of absence of visible differences between species with reachable magnifications, light microscopy is useless. In many cases serological diagnostic method have lack of sensitivity. A variety of molecular methods have been developed and used to detect and identify Sarcocystis spp. and to assess the genetic diversity among this protozoan from different population/hosts. Nowadays, molecular diagnostic is the common, time/cost effective method used all over the world to interspecies differentiation.