Abstract
BackgroundCanids are definitive hosts of Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus. This study aimed to survey these two Echinococcus species in canids of North-Khorasan Province, northeastern Iran, using morphological criteria and genetic characterization of mitochondrial DNA.MethodsThe carcasses of 106 canids, namely 61 jackals (Canis aureus), 23 foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 19 dogs (Canis familiaris) and three wolves (Canis lupus) were collected from the study area in 2013–2014 and examined for Echinococcus species. Morphological features were assessed by microscopy of adult worms. For molecular characterization, DNA was extracted, mostly from the adult worms but also from eggs. DNA fragments of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) mitochondrial genes were amplified and sequenced. Sequences were aligned and compared with reference sequences. Intraspecific and interspecific diversity were calculated and phylogenetic analysis was performed.ResultsOverall, 9.4% of the canids (eight jackals and two foxes) were found infected with E. multilocularis by molecular methods, of which seven cases were also confirmed using morphological description of the adult worms. Echinococcus granulosus was found in 6.6% of the canines (four dogs, two jackals and one wolf) as determined by both molecular methods and adult cestode morphology. All E. granulosus isolates were identified as the G1 genotype. Comparative sequence analysis indicated 0–0.7% and 0% intraspecific divergence within E. granulosus isolates and 0% and 0–0.2% within E. multilocularis isolates for cox1 and nad1, respectively.ConclusionsThis study revealed the presence of E. multilocularis and E. granulosus in canids of North-Khorasan Province of Iran. Jackals were found infected with both E. multilocularis and E. granulosus, but infection with the former species was higher.
Highlights
Canids are definitive hosts of Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus
In 1992, a study in the Ardabil Province in northwestern Iran has shown that 22.9% of the red foxes and 16% of the jackals studied were infected with E. multilocularis [32]
In immature worms, there was an overlap in the size of strobila and proglottids of E. granulosus and E. multilocularis, which needs consideration during morphological analysis of adults of these two species to prevent misidentification
Summary
Canids are definitive hosts of Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus. Echinococcus granulosus (sensu lato) and Echinococcus multilocularis are the most prevalent species infecting humans, resulting in cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE), respectively. Echinococcus granulosus (s.l.) is known to be endemic in all continents, while E. multilocularis has a more restricted distribution, generally regarded a parasite limited to the northern hemisphere [2]. Both AE and CE are considered neglected zoonoses, with a global distribution and higher prevalence for CE, but a higher pathogenicity and mortality for AE, especially in Asia [3]. Humans can be an accidental dead-end intermediate host for both species via close contact with the definitive host or by indirect ingestion of eggs through contaminated water and uncooked food [5]
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