title: First detection and molecular characterization of Echinococcus equinus in a mule in Turkey.
abstract: Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease with a cosmopolital distribution. It is caused by the larval stages (metacestodes) of the parasite Echinococcus granulosus which infects different animal species. In this report, we present a case of E. granulosus infection in a mule and molecular characterization of the cyst. For this purpose parasite material was collected from the liver of a necropsied mule. DNA was isolated and PCR amplification of mitochondrial 12S rRNA as well as partial sequencing of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (mt-CO1) genes were performed. Six unilocular cysts, filled with clear fluid were found in the liver and spleen. All cysts were found to be fertile. The 12S rRNA-PCR did not yield any band while mt-CO1-PCR yielded a 446 bp sized amplification product. Sequence corresponding to mt-CO1 gene was identical to a sequence reported for E. equinus (formerly G4) (Genbank accession number: KC953029). This is the first record of E. equinus as a cause of cystic echinococcosis in a mule in Turkey.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat, 23119, Elazig, Turkey, ssimsek@firat.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Simsek
authors.forename: Aydin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cevik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004446:Echinococcus / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018397:Equidae; D008297:Male; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology