English Abstract Tissue of human heart and diafragma was investigated
for the presence of cysts of Sarcocystis species using trichinoscopy and
artificial trypsine digestion. With the latter technique, cystozoite-like
structures were found in 5 of the 149 investigated samples. Since by means
of artificial digestion no intact cysts can be observed and additional
information with regard to life cycle and other characteristics was not
available, no conclusions could be drawn with respect to the identification
of genus and species of the observed material. Also, although size and form
correspond with cystozoites of Sarcocystis, the number of cystozoite-like
structures observed in the samples investigated was very low, suggesting
that no intact cysts were present in the tissue. Sarcocystis are known to
be very specific with regard to the choice of the intermediate host, which
is restricted to only one species. It is not clear which species could be
the natural intermediate host in the temperate climate. It is recommended
to further investigate the presence of cysts of Sarcocystis in human muscle
tissue.