Several strains of Echinococcus granulosus infect livestock and humans in Argentina.
Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) sequencing, Southern blot of a repetitive DNA element and single strand conformation polymorphism of the 5' non-transcribed region of the cytosolic malate dehydrogenase (MDH) gene were used to determine the extent and distribution of Echinococcus granulosus genetic variation in Argentina. Five distinct strains of E. granulosus were shown to exist in the country. The common sheep, Tasmanian sheep, cattle and camel strains were identified in humans. Unlike the situation found in other countries, where the common sheep strain is the major source of human contamination, the Tasmanian sheep and camel strains produced a significant number of human infections in some regions of Argentina. This is the first report of cattle strain in humans in South America. Goats could be the natural intermediate host of the camel strain, which was not identified in humans from other regions so far. More than one genotype was identified in the same geographic area. These findings may have important consequences for human health and the control of hydatid disease. Within-strain differences were also observed, showing the potential of variation of E. granulosus.
Kamenetzky
Laura
L
Instituto Nacional de Microbiología, ANLIS Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán, Av. Velez Sarsfield 563, CP 1281, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Gutierrez
Ariana M
AM
Canova
Sergio G
SG
Haag
Karen L
KL
Guarnera
Eduardo A
EA
Parra
Alberto
A
García
Gustavo E
GE
Rosenzvit
Mara C
MC
D024506:5' Flanking Region; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000469:parasitology*; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000635:transmission*; D004446:Echinococcus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008291:Malate Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data
D008291:Malate Dehydrogenase