A reconsideration of the Echinococcus granulosus strain situation in Australia following RFLP analysis of cystic material.
Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, previously shown to be a relatively simple and reproducible method for distinguishing discrete strains of E. granulosus, could not discriminate between E. granulosus originating from central Queensland macropod marsupials, Australian mainland sheep or United Kingdom sheep. Furthermore, sheep cyst material from Tasmania and the Australian mainland was indistinguishable using this approach. As a result of this DNA analysis, the existence of three distinct strains of E. granulosus in Australia, previously described on the basis of morphological, biochemical and developmental differences, may require re-evaluation.
Tropical Health Program, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, Australia.
M
M
Hope
J
J
Bowles
D P
DP
McManus
D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004446:Echinococcus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012756:Sheep / Q000469:parasitology; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D013648:Tasmania