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Parasitology research2008; 102(4); 815-818; doi: 10.1007/s00436-007-0862-7

Cystic echinococcosis in equids in Italy.

Abstract: Between March 2003 and February 2007, the livers and the lungs of 2,231 horses from various Italian regions were examined for cystic echinococcosis presence at the time of slaughter. Hydatid cysts were found in six horses, namely four from Sardinia, one from Sicily, and one from Tuscany. The location, number, morphology, and fertility of the cysts found were determined. DNA was extracted from the germinal layers and protoscoleces of the fertile cysts and polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were performed in order to strain type DNA isolates for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) and 12S partial genes. The PCR products were then purified and sequenced in forward and reverse. Hydatid materials obtained from positive animals were identified as Echinococcus granulosus s.s. (old G1, sheep strain) and Echinococcus equinus (old G4, horse strain) for ND1, CO1, and 12S partial genes. This allowed us to record the presence of the E. equinus in Italy for the first time with molecular tools and also to report new data on the epidemiological situation of this parasite in Italy.
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Publication Date: 2008-01-06 PubMed ID: 18180956DOI: 10.1007/s00436-007-0862-7Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research focused on examining horses in Italy for cystic echinococcosis, a parasitic disease, from 2003 to 2007. Hydatid cysts, a typical symptom of the disease, were found in six horses, with DNA experiments helping identify the presence of two strains of Echinococcus, marking the first recorded presence of E. equinus in Italy.

Study Design and Execution

  • The researchers examined the livers and lungs of 2,231 horses that were slaughtered between March 2003 and February 2007. The horses originated from various regions in Italy.
  • The team was looking for the presence of hydatid cysts, a sign of cystic echinococcosis, a serious parasitic disease that can affect a variety of mammals, including humans and horses.
  • Out of all examined horses, six were found to be carrying hydatid cysts. Four of these were from Sardinia, one from Sicily, and one from Tuscany.
  • The location, number, morphology, and fertility of the cysts found were documented by the researchers.

DNA Analysis and Identification of Cysts

  • DNA was extracted from the germinal layers and protoscoleces of the fertile cysts for further analysis.
  • Next, the team performed polymerase chain reactions (PCR), a common method in molecular biology to make many copies of a specific DNA segment, on the extracted DNA.
  • The segments amplified in the PCR analysis included the genes for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) and 12S partial genes.
  • The produced DNA fragments were then further purified and sequenced in both directions to allow an accurate read of the genetic information.

Study Findings and Importance

  • The team identified the cystic materials as belonging to two different strains of the Echinococcus genus, specifically Echinococcus granulosus s.s. (old G1, sheep strain) and Echinococcus equinus (old G4, horse strain). This was based on the sequencing of the ND1, CO1, and 12S partial genes.
  • This study marked the first time Echinococcus equinus was recorded in Italy using molecular tools. It shows the potential widespread of this parasitic species, which initially was thought to be limited to certain regions.
  • The presence of these parasites is of notable concern due to the possible health implications not just for horses, but for other species including humans. Therefore, their detection and identification contribute to the overall epidemiological understanding of these parasites in Italy, and can assist in designing health policies and intervention strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Varcasia A, Garippa G, Pipia AP, Scala A, Brianti E, Giannetto S, Battelli G, Poglayen G, Micagni G. (2008). Cystic echinococcosis in equids in Italy. Parasitol Res, 102(4), 815-818. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-007-0862-7

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 0932-0113
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 102
Issue: 4
Pages: 815-818

Researcher Affiliations

Varcasia, A
  • Dipartimento di Biologia Animale, Sexione di Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy. varcasia@uniss.it
Garippa, G
    Pipia, A P
      Scala, A
        Brianti, E
          Giannetto, S
            Battelli, G
              Poglayen, G
                Micagni, G

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animals
                  • DNA, Helminth / analysis
                  • Echinococcosis / epidemiology
                  • Echinococcosis / parasitology
                  • Echinococcosis / veterinary
                  • Echinococcus / classification
                  • Echinococcus / genetics
                  • Echinococcus / isolation & purification
                  • Echinococcus granulosus / classification
                  • Echinococcus granulosus / genetics
                  • Echinococcus granulosus / isolation & purification
                  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
                  • Horses / parasitology
                  • Italy / epidemiology
                  • Molecular Sequence Data
                  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
                  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

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