Location: Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory
Title: Letter to the editor: Sarcocystis pinnipedi nomenclature?Author
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Dubey, Jitender |
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Submitted to: Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 9/13/2025 Publication Date: 10/18/2025 Citation: Dubey, J.P. 2025. Letter to the editor: Sarcocystis pinnipedi nomenclature? Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. 38(1):14-16. https://doi.org/10.1177/10406387251382923. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10406387251382923 Interpretive Summary: Parasites in the genus Sarcocystis infect virtually all animal species and humans worldwide, compromising animal health and food safety. Sarcocystosis causes reduced weight gain, poor feed efficiency, anorexia, fever, anemia, muscle pain, reduced milk yield, neurologic impairment, and death. Outbreaks of mysterious neuromuscular disease linked to ingesting Sarcocystis excreted in snake feces have been reported in Fareast. Scientists at the Animal Parasitic Diseases (APDL) have been at the forefront of discoveries unraveling the mysteries of the life cycle of Sarcocystis for the past 5 decades and have authored the only authoritative book on sarcocystosis, published by CRC Press. Here, Dr. Dubey draws attention to the parasite Sarcocystis canis, that causes fatal hepatitis (liver disease) in many species of animals; it was discovered and named by Dr. Dubey in 1991. Recently, it was found to cause fatal hepatitis in California sea lions by Chiu et al. (2025) but wrongly named Sarcocystis pinnipedi as a new species. This communication will help correct the error for the benefit of researchers and biologists. Technical Abstract: Not required |