The possible link between venison poisoning and Sarcocystis spp. infection in Lithuania: a case report

There have been report of possible food poisoning in Lithuania following the consumption of raw steaks from a roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Two people experienced symptoms of abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, and nausea. The parasitological examination of the roe deer revealed macrocysts of Sarcocystis sp. to the naked eye. Microscopic sarcocysts of Sarcocystis spp. were detected in different muscles, and a high sarcocyst load was observed in the roe deer muscles by a light microscope. Based on molecular results, S. capreolicanis, S. gracilis, S. linearis, S. oviformis, and S. silva were identified in meat samples of the roe deer. This is the first report of a possible link between venison poisoning and Sarcocystis spp. infection in Lithuania.