The Histopathological and Molecular Diagnosis of Myocardial Sarcocystosis in Sheep, and the Immunohistochemical Correlation of Parasitic Lesions with MMP-2 and MMP-9

This study was aimed at the histopathological and immunohistochemical level investigate cardiac tissue lesions caused by Sarcocystis spp. in sheep, and thereby, to collect detailed information on the presence of these parasites and the pathogenesis of sarcocystosis in ovine animals. PCR, a molecular diagnostic method, was used for the identification of the parasite species. Microscopic examination revealed that out of the 45 ovine cardiac tissue samples examined 23 contained Sarcocystis spp. cysts. The PCR analysis results showed that out of the 23 cardiac tissue specimens infected with sarcocysts, 7 were determined to be infected with Sarcocystis gigantea and 16 with Sarcocystis tenella. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated that, semiquantitatively, MMP -9 staining was stronger than MMP -2 staining in the periphery of the parasite cysts.