June 2014
Contact Elise Matthews, Phone: (08) 8207 7837 Email: elise.matthews@sa.gov.au
Sarcocystis (Sarco)
Sarcocystis lesions are found in the muscle of sheep at the abattoir. These small
white cysts resemble grains of rice and commonly affect the oesophagus, tongue,
diaphragm and skeletal muscle.
Sarco on the diaphragm
Sarco on the oesophagus
ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES
On Farm
At the Abattoir

 Trimming – light to moderate infections result in
trimming of the affected muscle. This results in a
reduced carcass/dressed weight; and
 Condemnations – heavily infected carcasses may
be condemned.
Sarco does not affect
sheep health or
production on farm.
WHAT CAUSES SARCO?
Sarco is a single-celled organism that requires two hosts in order to complete its
complicated life cycle:
1. An ‘intermediate (sheep) host’
 Sheep ingest sarco spores when feeding on contaminated pasture
or hay/grain.
 Spores move from the gut to small blood vessels where they
multiple and move into muscle tissue; and
 Within the muscle tissue spores develop into cysts.
2. A ‘definitive (cat) host’
 Cats are infected when they feed on infected sheep carcasses.
 Ingested sarco cysts develop in the cat to produce tiny spores; and
 These spores are passed in cat faeces contaminating pasture
and/or stockfeed.
TREATMENT
There is no treatment for the cysts in sheep.
PREVENTION




Keep livestock feed secure from access by cats.
Do not feed domestic cats (and dogs) uncooked meat or offal and do not
allow them to scavenge carcasses.
Bury or burn carcasses immediately or dispose of in a secure pit; and
Control feral cat populations.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Contact the Enhanced Abattoir Surveillance (EAS) Program manager Dr Elise
Matthews, your local veterinary practitioner, livestock consultant or local PIRSA
Animal Health Officer.
FOR ANY SIGNS OF UNUSUAL OR SERIOUS ANIMAL DISEASE,
PLEASE CALL THE 24/7 DISEASE WATCH HOTLINE: 1800 675 888