Molecular Identification of Coenurus gaigeri from Muscular Coenurosis in Goats and Sheep in Kerman, Iran Using Mitochondrial Markers (CO۱ and ND۱)

Background: Coenurosis is a parasitic disease of significant veterinary and economic importance, primarily caused by the larval stage of Taenia multiceps in small ruminants. While Coenurus cerebralis typically affects the central nervous system of sheep, goats frequently develop non-cerebral cysts in subcutaneous and muscular tissues, historically referred to as Coenurus gaigeri. The taxonomic distinction between C. gaigeri and C. cerebralis remains controversial due to their close morphological similarity. Molecular approaches targeting mitochondrial genes offer a reliable means to clarify their classification. Methods: Muscular cysts suspected to be Coenurus gaigeri were collected from slaughtered goats and sheep in Kerman, Iran, during autumn and winter ۲۰۲۵. Seventeen cyst samples were processed, and genomic DNA was extracted using the Pars Tos DNA Extraction Kit following an optimized protocol. Two mitochondrial loci_x۰۰۱۵_۱ cytochrome c oxidase subunit ۱ (CO۱) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit ۱ (ND۱)_x۰۰۱۵_۱ were amplified using specific primers. PCR products were electrophoresed on ۱% agarose gels and visualized under UV illumination. Results: All ۱۷ (۱۰۰%) samples produced distinct amplicons of approximately ۴۰۸ bp (CO۱) and ۵۲۰ bp (ND۱), consistent with Coenurus gaigeri. These molecular profiles confirm the species identity of the non-cerebral coenuri collected in this study. Conclusion: Molecular identification based on CO۱ and ND۱ mitochondrial markers confirmed Coenurus gaigeri as the etiological agent of muscular coenurosis in goats and sheep from Kerman. This study provides molecular evidence supporting the distinct identity of C. gaigeri and underscores the value of mitochondrial DNA markers for accurate differentiation of Coenurus gaigeri in endemic regions.

کلیدواژه ها:

Coenurus gaigeri ، Molecular identification ، Coenurosis ، Mitochondrial markers ، small ruminants