• Obadiah, H. I.
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
  




• Byanet, O.
  College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, USA
  




• Nzelu, I. N.
  College of Veterinary Medicine,Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi
  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6404-8597




• Okita, F.O
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
  




• Orlantyoga, A.
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
  




• Tamen, T. B.
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
  




• Kur, P. A.
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
  




• Iorcher, R. M.
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
  




• Okopi, M. A.
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
  




• Alede, G. E.
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
  




• Adekpe, V. O.
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
  




• Ugo, F. O.
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
  




• Oche, E. O.
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
  




• Kwaghange, D. F.
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
  




• Abraham, O.
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
  




• Agada, G.
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
  




• Schnittger, L.
  Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology,INTA-CONICET, Hurlingham, Argentina
  




• AtU, B. O.
  Department of Biological Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
  




• Omudu, E. A.
  Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology
  

Sarcocystosis is an important and common disease of domestic animals, yet not much is known about it in Benue State. This research was conducted during the wet season, from April to September, 2021 withthe aim to survey the rate of contamination of slaughtered ruminants and pigs with Sarcocystis species using histopathological method. The study comprised of 1200 carcasses examined macroscopically,subsequently, tissue samples from skeletal muscle, heart, esophagus,tongue and diaphragm were considered for pathologic studies using the Hematoxylin and Eosin staining technique. The results showed that the highest rate of infection were in skeletal muscles of pigs inMakurdi (33.6 %). Infection was associated with location of both cattleand pigs (P < 0.05) but no significant difference (P>0.05) with sex and age of the animals. Macrocysts of white color, oval shape and size range of approximately 2-5 mm were observed in 12 skeletal musclesof the pigs, 5 of which had both microcysts and macrocysts. Sarcocystshapes of two distinct types, elongated/fusiform and oval of varying intensities were also observed. To the best of our knowledge, these results represent the first demonstration of this parasites in animals of Benue State. The results indicate that Sarcocystis species infection is widely distributed in animals slaughtered for meat. The close proximity betweenlivestock and humans on farms, and the frequent poor sanitary conditions in human dwellings strongly suggest an effective life cycle of the parasite. Further studies on molecular analysis is required for clear identification of different species in order to provide better strategies for zoonotic infection control in Nigeria.