Abstract

Cystic (CE) and alveolar (AE) echinococcosis caused by the metacestode larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato and Echinococcus multilocularis respectively are globally distributed zoonotic infections of public health importance. Molecular techniques have proven to be invaluable tools in the study of Echinococcus species. However, prior to the advent of DNA approaches and their routine application, morphological identification of E. multilocularis was reported from aberrant intermediate hosts such as cattle from various geographical locations. During a routine veterinary inspection at the Sulaimani Province abattoir (Kurdistan region, Iraq), an unusual echinococcal cyst embedded within a dense stroma resembling an E. multilocularis infection was observed in a cow liver. DNA amplification and analysis of a fragment within the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox 1) mitochondrial gene revealed that the infection was caused by Echinococcus granulosus (G1 genotype). This finding highlights the importance of DNA molecular confirmatory tests to differentiate between cystic and alveolar echinococcosis particularly in areas where the latter disease is rare.

Keywords: Alveolar and cystic hydatidosis; Echinococcus granulosus G1 genotype; Echinococcus multilocularis; Kurdistan-Iraq