Sarcocystis sp. infection was investigated in 20 necropsied captive wild mammals and 20 birds in 2 petting zoos in Malaysia. The gross post-mortem lesions in mammals showed marbling of the liver with uniform congestion of the intestine, and for birds, there was atrophy of the sternal muscles with hemorrhage and edema of the lungs in 2 birds. Naked eye examination was used for detection of macroscopic sarcocysts, and muscle squash for microscopic type. Only microscopically visible cysts were detected in 8 animals and species identification was not possible. Histological examination of the sections of infected skeletal muscles showed more than 5 sarcocysts in each specimen. No leukocytic infiltration was seen in affected organs. The shape of the cysts was elongated or circular, and the mean size reached 254 x 24.5 micrometer and the thickness of the wall up to 2.5 micrometer. Two stages were recognized in the cysts, the peripheral metrocytes and large numbers of crescent shaped merozoites. Out of 40 animals examined, 3 mammals and 5 birds were positive (20%). The infection rate was 15% and 25% in mammals and birds, respectively. Regarding the organs, the infection rate was 50% in the skeletal muscles followed by tongue and heart (37.5%), diaphragm (25%), and esophagus (12.5%). Further ultrastructural studies are required to identify the species of Sarcocystis that infect captive wild animals and their possible role in zoonosis.
Animals ; Animals, Wild/*parasitology ; Animals, Zoo/*parasitology ; Cell Size ; Malaysia/epidemiology ; Muscle, Skeletal/pathology ; Sarcocystis/cytology/growth & development/*isolation & purification ; Sarcocystosis/epidemiology/parasitology/*veterinary

Introduction: Healthy meals play an essential role in the healthy physical and mental development of adolescents. Breakfast at home is associated with improved nutritional choices, and skipping breakfast is detrimental. This study assessed prevalence of skipping breakfast at home among adolescent students in the Badia Region of Jordan, identifying the reasons and characteristics associated with such behavioural choice. Methods: A cross-sectional survey among adolescent students (aged 13-16 years, in 8th-9th grades) from six public schools in Badia Region, Mafraq Governorate, Jordan, was conducted through self-administered questionnaire from February to March 2022. Results: Results showed that 68.1% of 552 student participants regularly skipped breakfast at home (72.4% boys vs. 61.3% girls; p=0.007). Among those who regularly skipped breakfast, three main rationales for this choice were not feeling hungry (5.3%), lack of time (2.7%), and lack of appetite (3.5%). Conclusion: The prevalence of skipping breakfast at home among adolescents in Badia Region was high for various reasons, including lack of time, not feeling hungry, seeking to manage weight, and insufficient knowledge on the importance of healthy breakfast. Therefore, understanding the reasons and factors that contribute towards breakfast skipping may help in solving the problem, underscoring that positive beliefs should be reinforced in schools, with parents encouraging adolescents to eat healthy breakfast.