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Abstract
A survey carried out to determine the prevalence of visible Sarcocystis spp. infection in 100 slaughtered cattle in a South Island abattoir revealed 64% infected. Although all ages, genders, breeds and export grades were infected, only host age had a statistically significant effect on the infection rate.
Infections were most common in the rectus abdominis and the psoas muscles (47% and 41% respectively). Most infections were light, with less than ten macrocysts seen, though infections of more than 50 macrocysts occurred.
The average macrocyst length was 4.1±0.10 mm (SE) (n = 233), the average cyst wall thickness 5.3 ±0,12 μm (SE) (n = 45).
It is thought that the actual prevalence of infection is higher than that recorded and reasons for this are discussed.
