Molecular identification of Echinococcus granulosus isolates from Golestan province, north of Iran

OBJECTIVE: Cystic echinococcosis caused by the metacestode of Echinococcus granulosus, is a global zoonotic infection with economic importance and is a threat to public health in many countries including Iran. Variation in E. granulosus implicates differences in morphology, life cycle pattern, development rates, host range, pathogenicity and sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents. As there is not any previous data about variability of genotypes in Golestan province, located in north of Iran, as a wide region of animal husbandry, the present study conducted in September to December 2007 in order to characterize E. granulosus isolates of domestic animals in this area, using molecular tools. METHODS: Hydatid cyst isolates from sheep and cattle were collected from Gorgan slaughter house, located in north of Iran, Protoscoleces washed extensively and DNA extraction performed with conventional phenol chloroform method. PCR carried out using rDNA-ITS1 amplifying primers and the products digested with the restriction enzyme RsaI. PCR and RFLP products electrophoresed on 1.5% and 2% agarose gel, respectively and visualized through transilluminator. RESULTS: All samples showed an expected ~1kbp band in PCR. In RFLP the same pattern was seen for all samples representing G1 genotype (sheep strain). No more genotype was found. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the presence of G1 genotype as only genotype found in Golestan, north of Iran like most previous studies in other regions of Iran as well as other countries. Considering close contact of human with sheep and dog in this area, finding G1 genotype shows the importance of sheep-dog cycle in human cystic hydatid disease and hydatid control programs.