GENOTYPING OF HUMAN AND ANIMAL ISOLATES OF ECHINOCOCCUS GRANULOSUS FROM EGYPT

Abstract

Cystic echinococcosis is a common zoonotic disease of great public health importance globally due to its associated economic losses. It is caused by the larval stage of the dog tapeworm E. granulosus s. l. and it is currently recognized as a neglected tropical disease by WHO. Molecular studies using mtDNA sequences have identified 10 distinct genotypes (G1-10) within E. granulosus. Seven genotypes have been identified in the Middle East and North Africa: G1-G7. Few molecular studies have characterized the current status of E. granulosus genotypes in Egypt and recorded predominance of G6 followed by G1 with sporadic cases of G5 and G7. The gold standard technique for genotyping is sequencing, however, it is expensive and not always available in developing countries. So, other techniques as PCR-RFLP are important in such countries. Thus, the aim of the present study was to use PCR-RFLP technique for genotyping of E. granulosus isolates targeting nad1 mitochondrial gene and the interpretation