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[Sarcocystis hominis] [Sarcocystis suihominis] [Sarcocystis spp.]
Sarcocystis hominis and S. suihominis use humans as definitive hosts and are responsible for intestinal sarcocystosis in the human host. Humans may also become dead-end hosts for non-human Sarcocystis spp. after the accidental ingestion of oocysts.
Both sporulated oocysts (containing two sporocysts) and individual sporocysts can be passed in stool . Sporocysts contain four sporozoites and a refractile residual body. Sporocysts ingested by the intermediate host (cattle for S. hominis and pigs for S. suihominis) rupture, releasing sporozoites. Sporozoites enter endothelial cells of blood vessels and undergo schizogony, resulting in first-generation schizonts. Merozoites derived from the first-generation invade small capillaries and blood vessels, becoming second-generation schizonts. The second generation merozoites invade muscle cells and develop into sarcocysts containing bradyzoites, which are the infective stage for the definitive host . Humans become infected when they eat undercooked meat containing these sarcocysts. Bradyzoites are released from ruptured cysts in the small intestine and invade the lamina propria of the intestinal epithelium . There, they differentiate into macro- and microgametocytes. Fusion of male and female gametes results in the formation of oocysts . Oocysts sporulate in the intestinal epithelium and are shed from the host in feces . Due to the fragile nature of the oocyst wall, individual sporocysts may also be detected in feces.
Worldwide, but more common in areas where livestock is raised.
In cases of intestinal sarcocystosis, when humans serve as the definitive hosts, infections are often asymptomatic and clear spontaneously. Occasionally, mild fever, diarrhea, chills, vomiting and respiratory problems may occur. When humans become infected with sarcocysts of non-human species, the infections are not intestinal but rather result in muscle cysts; symptoms such as myalgia, muscle weakness and transitory edema may occur. In these cases, humans are dead-end intermediate hosts.