studies on Sarcocystis species VII: the effect of temperature on the viability of macrocysts (Sarcocystis gigantea) of sheep

Abstract

Survival of Sarcocystis gigantea macrocysts was studied usingan oxygen electrode and by feeding to cats. Macrocysts were viable after 10 minutes at 52.5°C but not after 20 minutes at 55°C or 10 minutes at 60°C. Macrocysts survived 60 days at — 14°C and infected cats. After storage at 10°C for 13 days and 4°C for 20 days macrocysts still metabolised vigorously. Treatment of sheep meat at 60°C for at least 20 minutes should render it non-infective for cats.