Genetic polymorphism and population structure ofEchinococcus ortleppi

Abstract

The zoonotic cestode Echinococcus ortleppi (Lopez-Neyra and Soler Planas, 1943) is mainly transmitted between dogs and cattle. It occurs worldwide but is only found sporadically in most regions, with the notable exception of parts of southern Africa and South America. Its epidemiology is little understood and the extent of intraspecific variability is unknown. We have analysed in the present study the genetic diversity among 178 E. ortleppi isolates from sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and South America using the complete mitochondrial cox1 (1608 bp) and nad1 (894 bp) DNA sequences. Genetic polymorphism within the loci revealed 15 cox1 and six nad1 haplotypes, respectively, and 20 haplotypes of the concatenated genes. Presence of most haplotypes was correlated to geographical regions, and only one haplotype had a wider spread in both eastern and southern Africa. Intraspecific microvariance was low in comparison with Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto, despite the wide geographic range of examined isolates. In addition, the various sub-populations showed only subtle deviation from neutrality and were mostly genetically differentiated. This is the first insight into the population genetics of the enigmatic cattle adapted Echinococcus ortleppi. It, therefore, provides baseline data for biogeographical comparison among E. ortleppi endemic regions and for tracing its translocation paths.

Molecular characterization of human Echinococcus isolates and the first report of E. canadensis (G6/G7) and E. multilocularis from the Punjab Province of Pakistan using sequence analysis

“…One cytb gene sequence (580 bp) was identified as E. multilocularis and it was 100% identical to isolates from China (GenBank: KY290787 and KY290785), 99.8% identical to isolates from foxes in Poland (GenBank: KY205676 and KY205667), and 99.6% identical to an isolate from a fox in France (GenBank: AB461396). Meanwhile, the Pakistani strains were genetically distant France (KY766893) [19] Brazil (KT382540) a -Argentina (KX039948) [20] Palestine (KC109658) [21] E. equinus Turkey (KY766905) Turkey (KY766905) Turkey (KY766905) [19] UK (AB786665) UK (AB786665) [22] Germany (GQ420652) [23] E. ortleppi India (KY766908) [19] Japan (AB235846) [2] E. canadensis (G6/G7)…”

International consensus on terminology to be used in the field of echinococcoses

“…Steering and Writing Group (SWG) The mission of the SWG was: (1) to draft the list of words and expressions, and provide a critical analysis of their scientific and linguistic relevance, from the international scientific literature and all available sources (international nomenclature, international recommendations, historical notes, etymology), and submit it to the participants in the Consultation and Rating Group (CRG); (2) to collect and discuss the feedback from the participants in the CRG, and if necessary to submit difficult cases to appropriate external experts; (3) to draft the final lists of words and expressions and submit them to rating by the participants in the CRG; (4) to select 12 experts in the various disciplines of interest to the field of echinococcosis, not involved in the CRG, as members of the Reading and Review Group (RRG); (5) to analyze the rating data and draft the initial version of the Recommendation Paper, including the final tables with recommended terminology, to be submitted to the RRG; (6) to consider the remarks of the RRG on the draft, finalize the paper and the tables with the members of the CRG, and submit it to the appropriate journal; and (7) to ensure the follow-up of the paper and the dissemination of its content to end-users.…”

“…The mission of the CRG in the "formal consensus" process was (1) in the first step of consultation, to provide input on the initial list of terms and expressions drafted by the SWG, taking into account the available literature in all fields and the personal experience of the various participants; (2) in the second step of consultation, to participate in the poll, and provide independent rating on all words and expressions submitted to vote by the SWG; and (3) to finalize the text of the paper with the SWG after its evaluation by the RRG, and before its submission to the appropriate journal.…”

Echinococcus felidis in hippopotamus, South Africa

“…In addition, interactions with the surrounding pastoral areas and evidence of different species of Echinococcus in African wildlife (e.g. Echinococcus equinus in lion/jackal-zebra cycle in Namibia, Echinococcus ortleppi in the oryx, Oryx sp., in Namibia, and Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto in lions in Kenya and a warthog in Uganda) Kagendo et al, 2014;Wassermann et al, 2015;Addy et al, 2017) suggest that the epizootology of echinococcosis is complex. Further studies are needed to establish all hosts of E. felidis, its prevalence in different species, as well as the public health importance of the parasite.…”