Molecular characterization of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato from farm animals in Egypt

Abstract

Little is known on the diversity and public health significance of Echinococcus species in livestock in Egypt. In this study, 37 individual hydatid cysts were collected from dromedary camels (n=28), sheep (n=7) and buffalos (n=2). DNA was extracted from protoscoleces/germinal layer of individual cysts and amplified by PCR targeting nuclear (actin II) and mitochondrial (COX1 and NAD1) genes. Direct sequencing of amplicons indicated the presence of Echinococcus canadenesis (G6 genotype) in 26 of 28 camel cysts, 3 of 7 sheep cysts and the 2 buffalo derived cysts. In contrast, Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (G1 genotype) was detected in one cyst from a camel and 4 of 7 cysts from sheep, whereas Echinococcus ortleppi (G5 genotype) was detected in one cyst from a camel. This is the first identification of E. ortleppi in Egypt.

Fig 1. Phylogenetic relationships of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato isolates from Egypt compared to reference sequences of different Echinococcus species in database.

Evolutionary relationship was inferred based on COX1 sequences (Table 1) using the Bayesian inference (BI) implemented in MrBayes software (version 3.2.2). Taenia saginata (NC_009938) was used as the outgroup.

Fig 2. Phylogenetic relationships of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato isolates from Egypt compared to reference sequences of different Echinococcus species in database.

Evolutionary relationship was inferred based on NAD1 sequences (Table 1) using the Bayesian inference implemented in MrBayes software (version 3.2.2). Taenia saginata (NC_009938) was used as the outgroup.

Fig 3. Phylogenetic relationships of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato isolates from Egypt compared to reference sequences of different Echinococcus species in database.

Evolutionary relationship was inferred based on concatenated COX1 and NAD1 sequences (Table 1) using the Bayesian inference implemented in MrBayes software (version 3.2.2). Taenia saginata (NC_009938) was used as the outgroup.