Sarcocystis of Passerine Birds: Sexual Stages in the Opossum (Didelphis virginiana)

Authors

Edith D. Box, University of Texas Medical Branch
Donald W. Duszynski, University of New MexicoFollow

Date of this Version

4-1980

Comments

Published in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases (April 1980) 16(2): 209-215. Copyright 1980, the Wildlife Disease Association. Used by permission.

Abstract

Sexual stages of a Sarcocystis of passerine birds were demonstrated by feeding muscle cysts from cowbirds (Molothrus ater) and grackles (Cassidix mexicanus) to opossums (Didelphis virginiana). Opossums were examined at necropsy at 36 h, 13.5 days, and 29.5 days post-inoculation (PI). Large numbers of macro- and microgamonts were present in the small intestine 36 h PI, while only sporocysts and oocysts were present 13 days or more PI. Microgamonts in different stages of development were in the intestinal epithelium above the nucleus and macrogamonts were at the base of the epithelial cells or in the lamina propria. Oocysts and sporocysts were in the core of the villus, beneath the basement membrane. Descriptions are given of the sexual stages as they appear in sections and smears.