A study was performed to determine the prevalence of Sarcocystis sp. in alpacas and alpacas’ sheep dogs in a livestockcompany from the central highlands in Perú. Skeletal and cardiac muscle were examined to look for micro or macro cystsof Sarcocystis in alpacas slaughtered in the slaughterhouse. Th e macroscopic cysts were detected by direct observationand microscopic cysts by the Trichinoscope method. Fecal samples from 30% of the sheep dogs were examined by theZinc Sulphate Method. High infection levels for micro or macro cysts (75% to 100%) were found in 2, 3 and 4-yearsold alpacas, respectively, and 36% of alpaca sheep dogs were infected with oocysts or sporocysts. We discuss someepidemiological factors which contribute to the dissemination of this parasite.

Se realizó un estudio a fi n de determinar la prevalencia de Sarcocystis sp. en alpacas y perros pastores de una empresaganadera de la sierra central del Perú. Se realizaron exámenes macro y microscópicos del músculo esquelético y cardiacode alpacas benefi ciadas en el camal de la empresa, a fi n de detectar los niveles de infección por micro o macroquistes,respectivamente. La edad de los animales fue determinada por la dentición. La búsqueda de quistes macroscópicos serealizó mediante el examen visual de los canales, en tanto que los quistes microscópicos se diagnosticaron mediante elMétodo del Trichinoscopio. El examen parasitológico de heces en perros pastores se efectuó en el 30 % de la población por el Método de Flotación con Solución Sobresaturada de Zinc a fin de detectar ooquistes y/o esporoquistes. Se encontróaltos niveles de infección por micro o / mac...

A prospective longitudinal study was performed to determine the infectivity of Sarcocystis sp. cysts in alpacas in a livestock of the central highlands in Peru. Fifty raised male alpacas were selected at random after birth and then slaughtered, 3 monthly until one year of age, in order to detect micro or macrocysts in the skeletal and cardiac muscles. Dog groups free of parasites were infected monthly with skeletal and cardiac muscle to investigate their infectivity. The results show that the raised alpacas presented micro cysts of Sarcocystis sp. in skeletal and cardiac muscle since four months of age. We did not detect macro cysts in the skeletal muscles in the raised alpacas until the end of the experiment. Dogs feed monthly on microcysts of Sarcocystis sp since birth until a year of age but does not eliminate micro or macrocyst of Sarcocystis sp.

A prospective longitudinal study was performed to determine the infectivity of Sarcocystis sp. cysts in alpacas in a livestock of the central highlands in Peru. Fifty raised male alpacas were selected at random after birth and then slaughtered, 3 monthly until one year of age, in order to detect micro or macrocysts in the skeletal and cardiac muscles. Dog groups free of parasites were infected monthly with skeletal and cardiac muscle to investigate their infectivity. The results show that the raised alpacas presented micro cysts of Sarcocystis sp. in skeletal and cardiac muscle since four months of age. We did not detect macro cysts in the skeletal muscles in the raised alpacas until the end of the experiment. Dogs feed monthly on microcysts of Sarcocystis sp since birth until a year of age but does not eliminate micro or macrocyst of Sarcocystis sp.