Respiratory disease due to acute Sarcocystis tenella infection in sheep
- A. Schock1,
- H. French2,
- F. Chianini3,
- P. Bartley3,
- F. Katzer3 and
- Arthur Otter4
- AHVLA – Lasswade, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ
- Hay Veterinary Practice, Lamb House, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford HR3 5BG
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ
- AHVLA – Shrewsbury, Kendal Road, Harlescott, Shrewsbury SY1 4HD
Sarcocystis tenella is an obligate two-host protozoal parasite of sheep (Dubey and others 1989). Infections are common in sheep in the UK and throughout the world. Usually, the infection is clinically silent and results in the formation of cysts in cardiac and skeletal muscle as well as occasionally in the CNS. Sometimes infection of the CNS is seen associated with myelitis, which typically occurs in weaned lambs.
This report describes a case of fatal ovine protozoal pneumonia with S tenella confirmed as the primary cause of pulmonary lesions. The disease was observed in a group of 150 five- to seven-month-old sheep that had been purchased direct from a farm in October 2011. The …
