Background: A total of 396 samples were taken from the hearts, oesophagi, and diaphragms of 132 horses slaughtered at slaughterhouses in 2023 for subsequent examination. Methods: The histological method revealed pathomorphological changes in the muscle tissue. The molecular method identified the pathogen species. Results: Histological examination revealed thick-walled cysts with internal septa and numerous bradyzoites, and mononuclear inflammatory cells with pericyst infiltrates. Microcyst samples were amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Molecular genetic analysis allowed for the identification of 18 sarcocysts. Phylogenetic analysis of Sarcocystis isolates revealed three separate clades of Sarcocystis bertrami and two separate clades of Sarcocystis fayeri. Comparison and phylogenetic analysis revealed a very close relationship between the identified Sarcocystis species and other equine Sarcocystis DNA sequences from China and Japan. Based on the results obtained, the epizootic situation and the parasitic level of sarcocystosis contamination of horses in the northern Kazakhstan were determined. Conclusion: This is the first histological and molecular study to identify Sarcocystis spp. isolated from microscopic forms of equine sarcocysts in the northern Kazakhstan. This research will contribute to the fight against the spread of sarcocystosis in the Republic of Kazakhstan and will allow us to develop proposals for improving the mechanisms of sarcocystosis control.

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of foodborne illness in animal-derived food products, yet comprehensive data on its antimicrobial resistance and toxigenic potential from Central Asia remain scarce. We examined 711 food samples (meat, milk, and dairy products) from the Kostanay region of Kazakhstan (2024–2025). Isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry; antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed by disk diffusion (EUCAST v.16.0); enterotoxin production (types A–E) by ELISA; and resistance and toxin genes by PCR. Concordance between methods was evaluated using Cohen’s kappa coefficient. S. aureus was recovered from 11.8% of samples (84/711), with raw cow’s milk carrying the highest contamination risk (OR = 2.75; 95% CI: 1.74–4.38). High resistance to ampicillin (52.4%) and benzylpenicillin (50.0%) was found; 20.2% of strains were multidrug-resistant. Among the 17 cefoxitin-resistant isolates, only 4 harbored mecA, suggesting that 13 isolates (15.5%) should be interpreted as cefoxitin-resistant, mecA-negative isolates with a putative BORSA-like phenotype rather than as confirmed MRSA. Staphylococcal enterotoxins A–E were detected in 26.2% of isolates, and egc-cluster genes seg and sei were present in 9.5% each. The strongest genotype–phenotype concordance was observed for aph(3′)/kanamycin (κ = 0.65) and blaZ/benzylpenicillin (κ = 0.64). These results underscore the need for combined molecular and phenotypic surveillance for regional food safety monitoring.

This article presents the results of the prevalence of sarcocystis invasion of cat-tle in the Kostanay region. The selection of cattle muscles and morphological studies were carried out from January to April 2023. In total, 100 carcasses, including 75 carcasses of bulls aged 2-3 years and 25 carcasses from cows aged 7-9 years, were examined at the slaughterhouses of the city of Kostanay, where cattle for slaughter come from different districts of the Kostanay region. During visual veterinary and sanitary examination of carcasses, macrocysts were not found. Microscopy of 300 samples of muscle tissue was carried out to determine the contamination of carcasses. During the research, it was found that sarcocysts were found in the muscles of steers and cows. The localization sites, shape, size of sarcocysts and their intensity were studied. According to morphological features the cysts correspond to the description of Sarcocystis bovicanis (S.cruzi).

Background and Aim. At present there is no information about the prevalence of sarcocysto-sis among pigs in Kazakhstan, so we aimed to study pork meat for the presence of sarcocysts in the muscles of pigs in the Kostanay region. Materials and Methods. Pieces of heart muscle, neck, oesophagus, and diaphragm legs taken from pig carcasses served as material for the study. Sarcocysts presence in muscle slices was deter-mined by viewing the samples stained with methylene blue under a microscope. Morphological analysis of muscle tissues included histological and histochemical methods. Results. Muscle samples from 71 pig carcasses were examined. The intensity of sarcocystosis in pigs was 42.2%, and the intensity of invasion was 8.43 cysts. The highest infection with sarco-cysts was found in sows 3-5 years old (29.6%). The predominant sarcocysts localisation was found: in the heart - 23.9%, oesophagus - 12.7%, and the diaphragm legs - 5.6%. Cervical muscles from the same animals were free of sarcocysts. Sarcocystis suicanis species was detected Pathological chang-es in muscle fibres were detected in the examined muscle slices. Swellings and inflammatory pro-cesses of focal or diffuse character, as well as serous and less often purulent reactive myositis with infiltration and admixture of eosinophils or lymphocytes were noted. Examination of slices revealed an immuno allergic reaction leading to disruption of the heart histological structure, the oesophagus fibres and the diaphragm legs. Conclusion. Such animal muscles studies for sarcocystosis have not been conducted in the Kostanay region. The prevalence of infection from the number of the studied livestock were deter-mined. According to studies in animals, the infection prevalence increases with age, which is associ-ated with increased contact of pigs with primary hosts. According to the histological studies results, we have established inflammatory processes and muscle lesions caused by exposure to the product of parasite vital activity.

The widespread use of antibacterial agents in livestock production is associated with antibiotic residues in animal products and feed, posing a potential threat to food safety and contributing to antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to assess contamination levels of beef, pork, and feed with antibiotic residues in the Kostanay region. The results demonstrated the presence of antibiotic residues in beef, pork, and feed, while all detected concentrations remained below established maximum residue limits. Despite compliance with regulatory standards, residues were detected frequently, and their levels differed significantly depending on feed type (p < 0.001). Microbiological analysis confirmed the presence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in meat samples, with isolates exhibiting moderate to high antimicrobial resistance, particularly in pork. The highest resistance was observed to tetracycline, streptomycin, and thiamphenicol. The obtained data indicate that even trace antibiotic concentrations entering the “feed–animal–product” chain may be associated with selective pressure on microbiota and the circulation of resistant microorganisms. The results highlight the need for comprehensive monitoring of feed and animal products to assess and mitigate antimicrobial resistance spread within the food chain.