Vol. 9, Issue 1, Part M (2024)

Author(s): Dr. S Kamboj, Dr. KP Singh, Dr. N Rajput, Dr. DK Gupta, V Gupta and Dr. S Jawre

Abstract: The genus Sarcocystis has worldwide distribution comprises over 200 species spread amongst domestic and wild animals. Taxonomically the disease belongs to the cyst forming isospora coccidia has an obligatory prey predator two host life cycle. In the free ranging habitat wild dogs in pack has instinct quality to hunt wild herbivore whereas Jackals are dependent on offals and remains feeding. Disease disseminating ability of both wild dogs and jackals in terms of sarcocystosis was envisaged in the present study to assess the occurrence of sporocysts and their species on the basis of morphological and molecular detections. The freshly voided scats of these canines of Pench Tiger Reserves were collected and brought to the School of Wildlife Forensic and Health laboratory for screening the presence of sporocysts of sarcocysts along with other intestinal parasitic eggs and oocysts using qualitative and quantitative techniques of chopra diagnostics. During the entire study period, overall, 72. 5% infection of gastrointestinal parasitism (GIP) was recorded in Jackals with highest infection of Trichuris (77.5%), followed by Toxocara (62.5%), Ancylostoma (25.0%), Isospora (22.5%) and Taenia (22.5%) in all five zones of Pench Tiger Reserve, whereas, 83.3% infection of GIP was encountered in wild dogs. The highest infection of both Trichuris and Toxocara (83.3%), followed by Ancylostoma (66.6%), Isospora (43.3%) and Taenia (22.5%) were recorded in all five zones of Pench Tiger Reserve. Subsequently, in jackals, overall 7(17.5%) infection of Sarcocystis was recorded in different zones of Pench Tiger Reserve. The highest infection revealed in Zone I (25%) and III (25%) followed by Zone II and V (14%) while lowest observed in Zone IV (10%). Likewise, in wild dogs, overall (90.0%) infection of Sarcocystis was found. Amongst different zones of Pench Tiger Reserves, it was recorded highest in Zone I, II and IV (100%) followed by Zone V (85.7%) and III (76.0%). The intensity of sporocysts of Sarcocystis infection encountered in higher range (63%) followed by moderate (16.6%) and lowest (13.3%) amongst all scats examined. Apart from that, quantitative analysis has revealed higher OPG (800-8000) in wild dogs while it was recorded low (800-2000) in Jackals. Nonetheless, micrometry leading to shape and size of sporocysts of Sarcocystis showed more or less similar entity as 13.5±0.41x8.7±0.26 µm recorded in Jackals as compared to 13.4±0.24x8.2±0.42 µm in Wild dogs.