title: Genetic polymorphism and population structure of Echinococcus ortleppi.
abstract: The zoonotic cestode Echinococcus ortleppi (Lopez-Neyra and Soler Planas, 1943) is mainly transmitted between dogs and cattle. It occurs worldwide but is only found sporadically in most regions, with the notable exception of parts of southern Africa and South America. Its epidemiology is little understood and the extent of intraspecific variability is unknown. We have analysed in the present study the genetic diversity among 178 E. ortleppi isolates from sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and South America using the complete mitochondrial cox1 (1608 bp) and nad1 (894 bp) DNA sequences. Genetic polymorphism within the loci revealed 15 cox1 and six nad1 haplotypes, respectively, and 20 haplotypes of the concatenated genes. Presence of most haplotypes was correlated to geographical regions, and only one haplotype had a wider spread in both eastern and southern Africa. Intraspecific microvariance was low in comparison with Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto, despite the wide geographic range of examined isolates. In addition, the various sub-populations showed only subtle deviation from neutrality and were mostly genetically differentiated. This is the first insight into the population genetics of the enigmatic cattle adapted Echinococcus ortleppi. It, therefore, provides baseline data for biogeographical comparison among E. ortleppi endemic regions and for tracing its translocation paths.
authors.affiliation: University of Hohenheim, Parasitology Unit,Emil-Wolff-Str. 34, 70599 Stuttgart,Germany.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Addy
authors.affiliation: University of Hohenheim, Parasitology Unit,Emil-Wolff-Str. 34, 70599 Stuttgart,Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wassermann
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock,Western Province,P.O. Box 910034,Mongu,Zambia.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Banda
authors.affiliation: National Biosafety Authority,P. O. Box 28251 00100,Nairobi,Kenya.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mbaya
authors.affiliation: University of Zürich, Institut für Parasitologie,Winterthurerstr. 266a,CH-8057 Zürich,Switzerland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aschenborn
authors.affiliation: University of Hohenheim, Parasitology Unit,Emil-Wolff-Str. 34, 70599 Stuttgart,Germany.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Aschenborn
authors.affiliation: Moi University, School of Public Health,P. O. Box 4606 30100, Eldoret,Kenya.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Koskei
authors.affiliation: Anses Wildlife Surveillance and Eco-epidemiology unit, Technopôle Agricole et Vétérinaire,B.P. 40009, 54220 Malzéville,France.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Umhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology,Federal University of Santa Maria,Prédio 20-Sala 4226,CEP 97105-970 Santa Maria,Brazil.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: DE LA Rue
authors.affiliation: University of Gezira,Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences,P.O. Box 20, Wad Medani,Sudan.
authors.forename: I E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Elmahdi
authors.affiliation: University of Hohenheim, Parasitology Unit,Emil-Wolff-Str. 34, 70599 Stuttgart,Germany.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Mackenstedt
authors.affiliation: Ulm University Hospitals, Comprehensive Infectious Diseases Center,Albert-Einstein-Allee 23 D-89081, Ulm,Germany.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.affiliation: University of Hohenheim, Parasitology Unit,Emil-Wolff-Str. 34, 70599 Stuttgart,Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Romig
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000235:genetics*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D004446:Echinococcus / Q000235:genetics*; D006239:Haplotypes; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D018509:DNA, Helminth; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial
keywords: 
                 Echinococcus ortleppi
              ; 
                 cox1
              ; 
                 nad1
              ; Africa; Brazil; France; haplotype; microdiversity