title: The optimum cut-off value to differentiate Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto from other species of E. granulosus sensu lato using larval rostellar hook morphometry.
abstract: Cystic echinococcosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato is one of the most important helminth zoonoses in the world; it affects both humans and livestock. The disease is endemic in Argentina and highly endemic in the province of Neuquén. Considerable genetic and phenotypic variation has been demonstrated in E. granulosus, and ten different genotypes (G1-G10) have been identified using molecular tools. Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato may be considered a species complex, comprised of E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1-G3), E. equinus (G4), E. ortleppi (G5) and E. canadensis (G6-G10). In endemic areas, the characterization of cystic echinococcosis molecular epidemiology is important in order to apply adequate control strategies. A cut-off value for larval large hook total length to distinguish E. granulosus sensu stricto isolates from those produced by other species of the complex was defined for the first time. Overall, 1780 larval hooks of 36 isolates obtained from sheep (n= 11, G1), goats (n= 10, G6), cattle (n= 5, G6) and pigs (n= 10, G7) were analysed. Validation against molecular genotyping as gold standard was carried out using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The optimum cut-off value was defined as 26.5 μm. The proposed method showed high sensitivity (97.8%) and specificity (91.1%). Since in most endemic regions the molecular epidemiology of echinococcosis includes the coexistence of the widely distributed E. granulosus sensu stricto G1 strain and other species of the complex, this technique could be useful as a quick and economical tool for epidemiological and surveillance field studies, when fertile cysts are present.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology and Parasitology Department, School of Medical Sciences,Comahue National University,Buenos Aires1400, (8300)Neuquén,Argentina.
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Soriano
authors.affiliation: Microbiology and Parasitology Department, School of Medical Sciences,Comahue National University,Buenos Aires1400, (8300)Neuquén,Argentina.
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Pierangeli
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Department of Public Health,Province of Neuquén,Gregorio Martínez 65,(8300)Neuquén,Argentina.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Pianciola
authors.affiliation: Central Laboratory, Department of Public Health,Province of Neuquén,Gregorio Martínez 65,(8300)Neuquén,Argentina.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazzeo
authors.affiliation: Microbiology and Parasitology Department, School of Medical Sciences,Comahue National University,Buenos Aires1400, (8300)Neuquén,Argentina.
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Lazzarini
authors.affiliation: Microbiology and Parasitology Department, School of Medical Sciences,Comahue National University,Buenos Aires1400, (8300)Neuquén,Argentina.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Debiaggi
authors.affiliation: Zoonoses and Vectors Division,Municipality of Neuquén,Argentina Av. 307,(8300),Neuquén,Argentina.
authors.forename: H F J
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Bergagna
authors.affiliation: Microbiology and Parasitology Department,School of Medical Sciences, La Plata National University,60 and 120 St.,(1900),La Plata,Buenos Aires,Argentina.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Basualdo
mesh_terms: D000825:Animal Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D002162:Camelus / Q000469:parasitology; D002417:Cattle / Q000469:parasitology; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D048209:Echinococcus granulosus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005838:Genotype; D006041:Goats / Q000469:parasitology; D006736:Horses / Q000469:parasitology; D007814:Larva / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D009929:Organ Size; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods*; D012756:Sheep / Q000469:parasitology; D013552:Swine / Q000469:parasitology