Molecular Identification of Sarcocystis Species in Bovine Minced Meat Using Partial Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit 1 (Cox1) Gene in Van Province, Turkey

Abstract

Sarcocystis species are obligate two-host protozoan parasites classified in the phylum Apicomplexa. Cattle are generally accepted to be the intermediate hosts for seven species, i.e., . S. cruzi, S. hirsuta, S. hominis, S. bovifelis, S. bovini, S. rommeli, and S. heydorni. Since it is not possible to differentiate between some species using amplification of the 18S ribosomal (rRNA) gen, the aim of this study was to reveal the molecular characterization of Sarcocystis species obtained from cattle minced meat amplifying partial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (Cox1) gene. Fifty DNA samples were used. Sequence analyzes of amplicons belonging to positive isolates were performed and their phylogenetic structures were investigated. While S. hominis was found in only one sample, it was molecularly confirmed that S. bovifelis was dominant species in other samples. We designed primer set in present study could not differentiate between S. bovini, S. rommeli and S. bovifelis species. Phylogenetic analyzes of isolates with GenBank records (OK041347-OK041353) were performed with similar isolates in the world. According to phylogenetic analysis, sequence of S. bovifelis (OK041347) was found closer to the isolates from cattle skeletal muscle in Argentina (KT900970 and KT900962). S. hominis (OK041352) isolate showed high genetic similarity to isolates from Netherlands and Italy (MK497840; MH021119). In conclusion, genetic characterization of S. bovifelis and S. hominis was performed for the first time in Van province of Turkey by partial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (Cox1) gene. © 2022 by the authors.