Molecular Characterization of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato from Humans in Slovenia

Abstract

The larval form of tapeworms of the Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato species cluster cause an important zoonotic infection, cystic echinococcosis (CE). Molecular characterization of the cluster’s isolates from different hosts greatly contributes to a better understanding of its transmission dynamics. To date, no genetic information is available on CE in Slovenia. In this work, we characterized isolates from human CE cases. Parasite samples from 18 patients were collected, together with the patients’ demographic and clinical data. Genomic DNA was analyzed by conventional PCR and sequencing at four mitochondrial loci (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, cox1; NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1, nad1; NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5, nad5; and small ribosomal RNA, rrnS). Thirteen isolates were successfully amplified and sequenced. Seven (58.8%) patients were infected with E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) G1, five (38.5%) with E. canadensis G7 and one (7.7%) with E. granulosus s.s. G3. Echinococcus canadensis G7, the pig genotype, was identified exclusively in autochthonous Slovenes, while the patients originating from the Western Balkans were all infected with E. granulosus s.s. Our findings suggest that pigs are important intermediate hosts for human CE in Slovenia.

Alveolar echinococcosis in nutria (Myocastor coypus), invasive species in Slovenia

“…Genomic DNA was extracted from the affected tissue using a commercial QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen, Germany), following the manufacturer's protocol for DNA purification from tissues. Fragments of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, cox1 ( Marinova et al, 2017 ), NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1, nad1 ( Huttner et al, 2008 ; Marinova et al, 2017 ), NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5, nad5 ( Roelfsema et al, 2016 ), and small ribosomal RNA, rrnS ( Beato et al, 2010 ) , mitochondrial genes were amplified by conventional PCRs as described previously with modifications according to Šoba et al (2020) . The PCR products were sequenced from both strands.…”

Wild Carnivore Survey of Echinococcus Species in Slovenia

“…Due to low host specificity, humans are accidental hosts for the larvae of Echinococcus granulosus sensu latu complex (EGsl) and Echinococcus multilocularis (EM), where it can cause cystic or alveolar echinococcosis, respectively [ 2 , 3 ]. Several genotypes have been described in the EGsl complex, namely E. granulosus sensu stricto (EGss) genotype G1 and G3, E. equinus (genotype G4), E. ortleppi (genotype G5), E. canadensis cluster (EC) (genotype G6-G8, G10), and E. felidis [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]. Cystic echinococcosis is predominantly caused by EGss, but infections with EC (G6 and G7) are also common [ 4 , 6 ].…”

“…Several genotypes have been described in the EGsl complex, namely E. granulosus sensu stricto (EGss) genotype G1 and G3, E. equinus (genotype G4), E. ortleppi (genotype G5), E. canadensis cluster (EC) (genotype G6-G8, G10), and E. felidis [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]. Cystic echinococcosis is predominantly caused by EGss, but infections with EC (G6 and G7) are also common [ 4 , 6 ]. Both cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) are among the top four foodborne parasitosis in Europe [ 7 , 8 ].…”

“…Echinococcus granulosus s.l. has only been detected in intermediate hosts (pig, cattle) [ 19 ], and although its presence in the definitive hosts has not yet been studied, genotyping of human CE cases showed that EGss (G1-G3) and EC (G7) are present in the country [ 4 ].…”

Extracellular vesicles of Echinococcus granulosus have therapeutic effects in allergic airway inflammation

“…Adult E. granulosus mainly inhabit dogs, but hydatid cysts are found in a variety of mammals, including humans. 3 The early stages of E. granulosus infection involve activation of cell-mediated immunity, including cellular inflammatory responses and pathological changes. Early infection with E. granulosus causes infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages and causes leukocytosis, resulting in an increase number of myeloid cells such as eosinophils, lymphocytes and macrophage.…”