Investigation of Mitochondrial Cytb Gene Region of Both Echinococcus granulosus Eggs from Dogs and Cystic Echinococcosis  Isolates Obtained from Sheep and Cattle by Molecular Methods

Rahmi  Yildiz; Selahattin  Aydemir; Ahmet  Galip Halidi; Ahmet  Hakan Unlu; Hasan  Yilmaz

doi:10.18502/ijpa.v19i2.15860

Rahmi Yildiz Division of Veterinary, Vocational School of Gevas, University of Van Yuzuncu Yil, Van, Türkiye
Selahattin Aydemir Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Van Yuzuncu Yil, Van, Türkiye
Ahmet Galip Halidi Vocational School of Bulanik, University of Mus Alparslan University, Mus, Türkiye
Ahmet Hakan Unlu Division of Veterinary, Vocational School of Gevas, University of Van Yuzuncu Yil, Van, Türkiye
Hasan Yilmaz Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Van Yuzuncu Yil, Van, Türkiye

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v19i2.15860

Keywords: Cytb; Echinococcus granulosus; Genotyping; Türkiye

Abstract

Background: We aimed to determine the common Echinococcus granulosus genotypes in Ağrı, Türkiye and to obtain information on the transmission of this parasite.

Methods: Cystic echinococcosis samples from 100 slaughtered cattle and 100 slaughtered sheep and faecal samples from 200 stray dogs were included in 2021. Collected cyst fluid samples and faces were examined microscopically. DNA was isolated from the germinal membrane of the cysts and from the parasite eggs in the stool samples. The mitochondrial cytb gene region of the parasite was amplified by PCR. Genotypes were determined using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) after sequence analysis of PCR amplicons.

Results: The highest percentage of cysts was found in the lungs of sheep and the liver of cattle. In addition, 75% of sheep cysts and 25.6% of cattle cysts were fertile. Taenia spp./Echinococcus spp. eggs were found in 6% of the faeces of 200 dogs examined microscopically. E. granulosus eggs were detected in 4 out of 50 stool samples analysed by PCR. All samples analysed by sequence analysis were identified as E. granulosus s.s. G1 genotype. Sequence comparison revealed revealed one or more-point mutations in different regions of the five samples.

Conclusion: E. granulosus s.s. G1 genotype, known as sheep strain, is common in the Ağrı, Türkiye. The controlled slaughter of livestock, especially sheep, and the avoidance of feeding hydatid cyst organs to dogs, together with public education, were necessary to prevent the spread of the disease.