Molecular identification of Echinococcus granulosus sensulato in stray and domestic dogs in Shahrekord, Central Iran

Background and Aim : Echinococcus granulosus is a tapeworm parasite and causing agent ofcystic echinococcosis, a life-threatening disease in humans. Stray and domestic dogs are the mostimportant definitive hosts for this parasite. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalenceof Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato among stray and domestic dogs using copro PCR methodin the central Iran.Methods : From April ۲۰۱۵ to February ۲۰۱۸, the intestinal parasites of ۲۰۴ stray dogs and ۲۰۴domestic dogs were determined by stool examination in Shahrekord, central Iran. Genomic DNAwas extracted from dog faecal samples and COX۱ and SSU-rDNA markers were applied in orderto detect taeniid parasites from Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, respectively.Results : Totally, taeniid parasites were observed in ۲۹ (۷.۱%) samples, of which ۱۴ (۳.۴۳%)samples in domestic dogs and ۱۵ (۳.۶۷%) samples in stray dogs were detected. Moreover, of ۲۹taeniid positive samples, ۱۷ (۴.۱۶%) samples were positive for Echinococcus granulosus sensulato.Conclusion : The findings of the current study specified that the overall prevalence ofEchinococcus granulosus was low (۴.۱۶%) in domestic and stray dogs in the examined area.monitoring of the prevalence of echinococcosis in both the final hosts and the intermediate hostsmight assist the policy makers to take sanitary measures to control the disease.

کلیدواژه ها:

Echinococcus granulosus ، Dog ، Iran