In vitro excystation and structure of Sarcocystis suicanis Erber, 1977, sporocysts

Methods previously described for artificially excysting coccidia were applied to oocysts and sporocysts of Sarcocystis suicanis recovered from the intestinal mucosa of experimentally infected dogs. Observations with a scanning electron microscope showed that sporocysts consisted of 4 plates, each with a series of accessory veinations; plate margins joined at obtuse angles; plates separated at their margins and curled inward, allowing the sporozoites to escape. Transmission electron microscopy suggested that the sporocyst wall is ultrastructurally similar to that of other coccidia.