Human and animal cystic echinococcosis in Konya, Turkey: molecular identification and the first report of E. equinus from human host in Turkey

Abstract

Cystic echinococcosis is a neglected, zoonotic disease in Turkey. The disease is commonly seen in rural areas where the local population is in close contact with livestock and dogs. This research aimed to molecularly identify of hydatid cysts in cattle and human isolates from Konya, Turkey. Following sample collection, direct microscopy was performed. After direct examination, total DNA was extracted, and positive PCR products of cox 1 mitochondrial gene (~875 bp) were sequenced. A total of 83 hydatid cysts (cattle n = 57 and human n = 26), 82 were identified as Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (G1-G3 genotypes), and one human isolate was characterized as Echinococcus equinus (G4 genotype). Fertility rates of cysts belonging to cattle for liver and lung cysts were 93.3% and 80%, respectively. Out of 26 human originated isolates, 18 (69.2%) of cysts were found to be fertile. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of E. equinus from human host in Turkey.

Occurrence and genetic characterization of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato from domestic animals in Central Iran

“…The fertility rate of hydatid cysts was higher in the liver of sheep, whereas in camels and goat, fertile cysts were mostly found in lungs. Some studies have reported more fertility in the liver [16,20,[38][39][40], and some studies reported more fertility in the lung [41][42][43][44]. In this study, it was found that none of the cysts from the cattle were fertile.…”

The situation of echinococcosis in stray dogs in Turkey: the first finding ofEchinococcus multilocularisandEchinococcus ortleppi

“…Further, there have been many reports indicating the presence of E. equinus in different intermediate hosts worldwide (Thompson and McManus, 2002;Boufana et al, 2012). E. equinus has been detected in humans, mules and donkeys in Turkey (Simsek and Cevik, 2014;Kesik et al, 2019;Macin et al, 2021). This study is the first report of E. equinus from stray dogs in Turkey.…”

Species and genotypes belonging to Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato complex causing human cystic echinococcosis in Europe (2000–2021): a systematic review

“…Main IH and DH contributing to the maintenance of the parasite life cycle are equids and dogs. This species was thought not to be zoonotic for long until two cases of human infection were recently documented in Turkey and Uzbekistan [ 10 , 11 ].…”