teal meat

[Gottogo49]

Transmission and Life Cycle:

• The life cycle of Sarcocystis requires two hosts: an intermediate host (waterfowl) for the asexual component and a definitive host (mammalian carnivore) for the sexual stage.
• Birds ingest water contaminated with the feces of carnivores that contain the eggs of Sarcocystis. Eggs may persist in the environment for extended periods of time.
• The parasite develops in the intestines of the bird, and then enter the bloodstream and further infect cells of blood vessels.
• The parasite is then carried by the blood to voluntary muscles where the characteristic, elongated cysts are produced. From ingestion of eggs to the formation of cysts takes several months.
• When a carnivore ingests infected muscle tissue from a bird, the life-cycle is completed. The parasite reaches maturity in the intestines of the carnivore and repeats the cycle by producing eggs.