Sarcocystis Species (Apicomplexa, Eucoccidiorida) Parasitizing Snakes

Abstract

The genus Sarcocystis has approximately 200 species that are able to infect homeothermic and poikilothermic animals. So far, 23 Sarcocystis spp. have snakes as definitive hosts (DHs) and mammals and/or reptiles as intermediate hosts (IHs). Some of these species cause disease or even death in their IH. At least two Sarcocystis spp. from snakes have relevance in public health. Sarcocystis nesbitti causes serious myopathy in humans, and S. singaporensis is lethal for rats and was successfully tested in the biological control of these rodents. Molecular identification was not reported for half of Sarcocystis spp. shed by snakes. For some snake species, their role as DHs for Sarcocystis spp. is totally unknown, including certain snakes which are bred as companion animals. The aim of this review is to discuss the role of snakes as DHs or IHs of Sarcocystis spp. and the future directions for the identification of the parasites and the elucidation of their life cycles.