Background
Eosinophilic myositis (EM) is a rare pathological entity that appears worldwide in clinical healthy bovines. It is characterized by multifocal grey-green lesions in striated muscles which results in condemnation if observed in slaughterhouses. The etiology and pathogenesis are unknown, however, it has been suggested that Sarcocystis spp. may be involved. Although, experimental infection studies in the past were negative. Moreover there is a discrepancy between the prevalence of this pathological entity, which varies from 0.003% to 5% in some regions of the United States, and the prevalence of Sarcocystis species in bovines, which is worldwide extremely high, as up to 100% of the animals are infected. Therefore we can assume that other factors will probably play an additional role.
Curent research
The objectives of our research are:
- The morphological characterization of the lesions of eosinophilic myositis.
- The development of a reliable molecular based identification technique (PCR) for Sarcocystis spp.
- The detection and identification of intralesional sarcocysts.
- The determination of the antigens that are expressed on intralesional sarcocysts.
Contact
Prof. Dr. J. Vercruysse 
In collaboration with:
Prof. Dr. R. Ducatelle 
(Department of Pathology)