Prevalance of Sarcocystis Infection in Slaughter Pigs in Okinawa Prefecture

Abstract

Slaughter pigs in Okinawa Prefecture were examined for Sarcocystis infection from August 1991 to February 1992. Thirteen of 100 (13%) fattened and 94 of 200 (47%) breeder pigs were positive for the infection with S. miescheriana (106 cases) and S. porcifelis (1 case). The infection rate seemed to be higher in the southern Okinawa, while distributed all over the prefecture. S. miescheriana had the thick and radially striated cyst wall, whereas S. porcifelis had the thin and smooth wall. A dog fed S. miescheriana-infected meat excreted sporocysts in the feces on day 11 or later after ingestion.