Frequency distribution of Echinococcus granulosus in dog populations in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.

Age-prevalence and age-intensity data of Echinococcus granulosus in dog populations were collected in four counties in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China. The frequency distribution of the parasite per dog was adequately described by the negative binomial model, with parameter k being 0.0571. The mathematical model of the life cycle of E. granulosus constructed by Roberts et al. (1986--Parasitology, Vol. 92, pages 621-641) was used to estimate the epidemiologic parameters of E. granulosus in Xinjiang. This model showed that the prevailing infection pressure on dogs was 0.4560 infectious insults year-1 and the mean length of an infection was 1.4975 years. The effect of acquired immunity on the prevalence of E. granulosus in dogs was considered to be insignificant.     

Use of sentinel lambs for early monitoring of the South Powys Hydatidosis Control Scheme: prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus and some other helminths.

Sentinel lambs were used to identify young Echinococcus granulosus infections in sheep, to provide an early indication of the progress of the South Powys Hydatidosis Control Scheme. Four sentinel lambs were purchased on each of 60 farms, from inside and outside the control area; they were examined when approximately six, 10 and 15 months of age. Gross examination, thin slicing of organs and histological examination of the lesions in the viscera revealed no E granulosus hydatid cysts in lambs born within the control area, whereas 25 per cent of the 15-month-old lambs from outside the area harboured E granulosus cysts (less than 1 to 2 mm in diameter). Lambs from E granulosus infected farms had significantly higher anti-E granulosus ELISA antibody titres than lambs from uninfected farms. It was concluded that within one year of beginning to treat dogs with praziquantel every six weeks the transmission of E granulosus to sheep had ceased. In contrast, this treatment did not prevent infections with Taenia hydatigena or T ovis; an examination of the 240 lambs revealed T hydatigena in 33.3 per cent of them, Tovis in 4.2 per cent, Dictyocaulus filaria in 12.1 per cent and Meullerius capillaris in 49.2 per cent.     

Trials to induce protective immunity in mice and sheep by application of protoscolex and hydatid fluid antigen or whole body antigen of Echinococcus granulosus

In the current study, soluble proteins prepared from 200 mature Echinococcus granulosus and protoscolices of sheep hydatid cysts were applied to immunize sheep and mice respectively. The samples were mechanically homogenized in a blender, sonicated and the final yield was maintained at -20 degrees C until analysis. Hydatid fluid was isolated from liver or lung of sheep under sterile conditions. In the first experiment, 15 mice were randomly allocated to three groups of five mice each. Each mouse in groups 1 and 2 was immunized with 100 microg of hydatid fluid and protoscolex proteins in 100 microl of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and emulsified with an equal volume of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) respectively. The mice of group 3 were immunized with adjuvant in PBS. The mice were boosted 4 weeks after the first vaccination with the same preparation except that FCA was replaced by Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA). In the second experiment, eight male or female lambs 4-6 months of age, were allocated to two groups of four lambs each. Each lamb in the test group was vaccinated subcutaneously in the neck with a 2-ml dose of vaccine (1 mg of whole body protein of E. granulosus dissolved in 1 ml of PBS plus 1 ml of FCA). Control lambs were vaccinated with adjuvant in PBS. Lambs were boosted the same way as in the first experiment. Three weeks after the second vaccination, each mouse and lamb received a challenge infection with 2000 protoscolices intraperitoneally and each lamb additionally received 10 gravid E. granulosus. All mice and sheep were killed after 7 months and examined for hydatid cysts. In these studies, protective immunity was induced in mice with protoscolex protein and with hydatid fluid, and in sheep with whole-body homogenate of E. granulosus and the levels of protection afforded were found to be 72.1, 82.6 and 90.9% respectively.     

Cystic echinococcosis in slaughtered sheep in Sardinia (Italy)

Of 771 regularly slaughtered Sardinian breed sheep, 580 (75%) were found infected with Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cysts. Seventy-nine sheep (10.3%) had at least 1 fertile cyst. The prevalence of sheep infected with purulent/caseous cysts, calcified cysts and sterile cysts was 13, 59 and 28%, respectively. The age of sheep was positively associated with the probability of infection that increased 1.15 fold for each further year of age. Fertile cysts were found in the lungs of 46 sheep (6%) and in the liver of 13 sheep (1.7%), and in the lung and the liver of 20 sheep (2.6%). Most fertile cysts were found in the lungs (314) and most sheep were infected with less than 10 cysts. When analyzed by a mixed-effect logistic model, the probability to find fertile cysts in the lungs was three times higher compared to the liver and it increased with the age of the sheep (rho = 0.70, p < 0.001). Of 4072 collected cysts, 532 were fertile, 178 purulent/caseous, 2339 calcified and 1023 sterile.     

Environmental hygienic aspects of echinococcosis]

A literature review on the current situation of echinococcosis in Central Europe is given. The only final host for Echinococcus granulosus in this region ist the dog. The infection rate of dogs with E. granulosus in Central Europe is less than 1%. According to meat inspection statistics in Germany less than 0.008% of sheep, pigs and horses carry larval stages of E. granulosus. Parasitologically confirmed is the occurrence of a cattle-dog strain, the cysts of which were found in 0.26% of slaughter cattle. It is not known whether this strain infects also man as does the sheep-dog strain. Cases of cystic echinococcosis (E. granulosus) diagnosed in Central Europe are often imported from mediterranean countries. In Baden-Wurtemberg, the only state where human cases of echinococcosis are recorded, 50-100 cases are diagnosed per year. In areas with endemic E. multilocularis infection also dogs and cats may be infected with the adult worm besides the red fox. Recent investigations have revealed that not only in classical endemic areas (Switzerland, Austria, Baden-Wurtemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate) foxes have infection rates of up to 67% but that E. multilocularis-infection is also wide-spread in Thuringia, Hesse, Northrhine-Westphalia and in the southern parts of Lower Saxony. The most northern infested area seems to be the region of Detmold (infection rate of foxes 9%). The infection rates with alveolar echinococcosis (E. multilocularis) in humans even in endemic areas are low. In Baden-Wurtemberg 140 new cases became known during the past ten years.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Echinococcosis in Kenya: transmission characteristics, incidence and control measures

Kenya has the highest reported incidence of human hydatid disease in the world. Up to about 30% of cattle, 15% of goats and 13% of sheep harbour the infection. The causative agent of the disease in Kenya is Echinococcus granulosus and a complex strain picture of this parasite has been postulated to occur. The domestic dog is the main definitive host of E. granulosus in Kenya but infection in wild carnivores has also been reported. Hydatid cysts have also been found in wild herbivores. Although the domestic cycle has been shown to be the most important mode of transmission of the disease, a sylvatic cycle is also known to exist. The etiology of hydatid disease, the strain differentiation of E. granulosus found in Kenya, and the role that wildlife plays in the transmission cycle is reviewed. The current trends in the incidence of hydatid disease in man and livestock, and the efforts being made to control the disease are also discussed.     

Molecular identification of Echinococcus granulosus genotypes (G1 and G7) isolated from pigs in Mexico

With the aim of genotyping Echinococcus granulosus cysts found in Mexican livestock, we collected hydatid cysts from the livers and lungs of pigs in slaughterhouses in the state of Morelos, Central Region of Mexico. DNA was extracted from the parasites and examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of rDNA internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1-PCR), Eg9-PCR, Eg16-PCR, and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). In addition, fragments of the genes coding for mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) and NADH dehydrogenase 1 (ND1) were sequenced. Two different genotypes of E. granulosus were unequivocally identified, the common sheep genotype, G1, and the common pig genotype, G7. The G1 genotype of E. granulosus has not been previously demonstrated in Mexico. Because of its recognized infectivity in humans, G1 genotype is a direct threat to human health and its presence in Mexico is consequently of immediate public health importance and epidemiological relevance.     

Modelling the transmission of Echinococcus granulosus in dogs in the northwest and in the southwest of Morocco

Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus) infection was studied in 151 dogs in two regions of Morocco: 68 dogs in the northwest (Loukkos) and 83 dogs in the southwest (Tiznit). The mean prevalence rates of echinococcosis in dogs were 58.82% (46.23-70.63%) in Loukkos and 55.42% (44.10-66.34%) in Tiznit and the mean abundances of E. granulosus per dog were 75 (59-93) and 547 (504-595), respectively. The mean abundance of E. granulosus in dogs was fitted to a negative binomial distribution by the maximum likelihood techniques to define parameters. E. granulosus was aggregated in dogs in the two regions. The prevalence of infection and the abundance of E. granulosus in dogs were fitted to mathematical models in order to determine if the parasite population is partly regulated by definitive host immunity. The best fit was obtained with the models assuming the presence of immunity. The mean time of exposure to infection was similar in the two regions and ranged from 8 months to about 2 years. The infection pressures (number of E. granulosus) obtained per dog each year were 65 (8-294) in Loukkos and 476 (316-886) in Tiznit. The proportion of dogs susceptible to infection was still high along the life of the dogs in Loukkos, while it was not different from zero in old dogs of Tiznit.     

Prevalence of hydatidosis and fertility of hydatid cysts in sheep in Kirikkale,Turkey

This study was conducted in order to determine the prevalence and fertility of hydatid cysts in sheep in Kirikkale, Turkey. A total of 3.2% of 553 lambs and 50.9% of 1320 adults were found to be infected with hydatid cysts. The most common locations of cysts were in the liver and lung. Liver cysts tended to be more fertile than lung cysts (81.53% v. 76.47%), though the difference was not significant. The mean number of viable protoscoleces in the liver and lung cysts were 12,400 and 5,800, respectively. In general, 1-10 cysts were found in liver (51.8%) and lung (64.7%). The findings of this study indicate that hydatid cysts are common in sheep and the fertility rate of cysts is quite high. Sheep play an important role in the life cycle of Echinococcus granulosus in this region.     

Morphological and molecular characteristics of Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus mixed infection in a dog from Xinjiang, China

The Xinjiang plateau of western China has been shown to have a high prevalence for human cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by Echinococcus granulosus, and human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by Echinococcus multilocularis. The domestic dog is suspected to be the primary definitive host for the transmission of both E. granulosus and E. multilocularis to humans in this locality. Seventeen of 30 stray dogs from Hejing County of Xinjiang were found positive for E. granulosus post mortem, and one double infection was suspected. Worm samples were collected, dyed by carmine, and observed microscopically. Carmine staining examination clearly revealed the differences in number of proglottids and appearance of uterine branches and lateral genital pore for those two species of Echinococcus. Furthermore, gene target DNA fragments were amplified for formal identification of the two parasite species, based on 12s rRNA mitochondrial gene. The PCR products were purified and sequenced. Compared with NCBI GenBank, the DNA sequences demonstrated 100% identity with E. granulosus (sheep strain, G1 genotype) and E. multilocularis.     

Molecular evidence of ovine (G1) and camel (G6) strains of Echinococcus granulosus in Tunisia and putative role of cattle in human contamination

Three hundred and seventy-two cysts coming from 50 humans, 166 cattle, 153 sheep and 3 camels were collected in order to establish some epidemiological molecular information in Tunisia for the first time. The analysis by PCR-RFLP of ITS1 sequence showed that all the human, ovine and bovine cysts were due to the common sheep strain of Echinococcus granulosus. The sequencing of the CO1 gene of 37 isolates confirm the G1 genotype of this strain. For seven of these isolates, we found the mutation C56T which is present in the three principal intermediate hosts: human (three cysts), cattle (three cysts) and sheep (one cyst). With regard to the G1 genotype, we identified three other point mutations. The camel strain G6 is uniquely found in the three camels isolates and not in the other intermediate hosts analysed. The fertility of the bovine cyst represents 48% that means that this host is involved in a bovine-dog cycle and consequently represents a reservoir of sheep strain in Tunisia. Our results confirm the importance of the prophylaxis measures in order to disrupt the cycle of transmission sheep-dog in Tunisia. Nevertheless, the supervision of bovine infection should be reinforced because this intermediate host may constitute an important link with the human contamination.     

Epidemiological study of the cystic echinococcosis in Morocco

The objectives of this epidemiological study on cystic echinococcosis (CE) in Morocco (2001-2004) were to update the prevalence of CE in different animal species living in the most important areas of the country and to collect protoscoleces and germinal layers for genetic research purposes. The post mortem inspection concerned 2948 sheep, 2337 goats, 618 cattle, 482 camels and 455 equines (325 horses, 60 mules and 70 donkeys) in five different regions: the Rif (Mediterranean coast and high mountains of the Rif), the Loukkos (Atlantic northwest plain), the center (Rabat and Casablanca regions), the Middle Atlas mountains and the south (arid and semi desert areas). The global CE infection prevalence rates obtained were 22.98% in cattle, 10.58% in sheep, 12.03% in camels, 17.80% in equines and 1.88% in goats. The infection rates were especially high in the Middle Atlas in cattle (48.72%) and in the Loukkos in cattle and sheep (37.61 and 31.65%, respectively). The majority of infected cattle (49.6%) and sheep (52.1%) had hydatid cysts in both liver and lungs. Except for cattle, the liver was more infected than lungs in all the other animal species. Animals more than 5 years old were the most infected in all species. The mean CE infection rates of these animals were about 56% in cattle, 40% in sheep, 20% in camels, 17.80% in equines and 7% in goats. These rates were much higher in the Loukkos (85% of cattle and 59% of sheep) and in the Middle Atlas (68% of cattle and 45% of sheep) than in the other regions. Results showed that Echinococcus granulosus is in an endemic steady state with no evidence of protective immunity in the intermediate hosts. The mean numbers of infections per year are 0.099 for cattle, 0.063 for sheep, 0.03 for camels and 0.010 for goats.     

Molecular epidemiology of Echinococcosis from food producing animals in north India

Echinococcosis is an important medical, veterinary and economic concern in India. Ten cysts were randomly selected from each intermediate host species (cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pigs). Either the germinal layer (sterile cysts) or protoscoleces (fertile cysts) were collected for molecular characterization. A 434 base pair fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase-1 gene was amplified using PCR from each isolate. Ten representative samples (2 from each intermediate host species) were sequenced in both the directions from which readable sequences were obtained from nine for phylogenetic analysis (NCBI, Blast). Phylogenetic analysis of cytochrome oxidase I gene revealed that seven (77.7%) isolates, from cattle (2), pigs (2), buffaloes (1) and goat (2) were clustered with the Indian Buffalo (G3) strain of Echinococcus granulosus, while two (22.2%) isolates from sheep were clustered with the sheep strain (G1) of E. granulosus. Phylogenetic analysis of the cytochrome oxidase-1 gene revealed that the buffalo strain (G3) and common sheep strain (G1) are cycling among livestock in north India and that these strains are highly adapted to cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats and pigs.     

Echinococcosis/hydatidosis in western Iran

In the present study, 115 stray dogs (56 males and 59 females, mixed breed), 86 golden jackal (Canis aureus, 42 males and 44 females), 60 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes, 33 males and 27 females), and three female wolves (Canis lupus) were examined for Echinococcus granulosus infection, as well as, 32,898 sheep, 10,691 goats, 15,779 cattle and 659 buffaloes for hydatid infection from five provinces in western Iran during 3 years (1997-2000). Meanwhile fertility rates of different types and forms of cysts isolated from infected animals and the viability of protoscolices were also determined. Results indicated that 19.1% of the dogs, 2.3% of the golden jackals and 5% of the red foxes were infected with Echinococcus granulosus. 11.1% of the sheep, 6.3% of the goats, 16.4% of the cattle and 12.4% of the buffaloes were also found to be infected with hydatid cyst. The cysts isolated from liver and lungs of the sheep show higher fertility rate than the cysts of liver and lungs of goats, cattle and buffaloes.     

Echinococcus granulosus in northern Queensland. 2. Ecological determinants of infection in beef cattle

OBJECTIVE: To provide information on possible ecological determinants of infection with Echinococcus granulosus in a beef pastoral area of northern Queensland. PROCEDURE: An ecological study was carried out on the prevalence and viability of infection with Echinococcus granulosus in definitive and potential intermediate hosts, and their predator prey relationships. Seven adjacent extensive beef properties 100 km south of Townsville, that included areas of savannah, open woodland and dense closed scrub, were selected for the study. Infection with E granulosus in dingoes was determined at post mortem, and in domestic dogs by examining duodenal mucus after purging with arecoline hydrobromide. Cattle, wild pigs and macropods were examined at post mortem for viable hydatid cysts. The diet of dingoes was investigated by identifying the hair of prey species found in their stomach and colon, and that of domestic dogs by questioning their owners. RESULTS: Prevalence of hydatidosis in adult cattle ranged from 41% in animals from properties with large areas of dense closed scrub, to 3% on properties with little or no scrub. Hydatid cysts were found in 21.8% of black-striped wallabies (Macropus dorsalis), 9.4% of feral pigs, 1.5% of wallaroos (Macropus robustus), and 1.4% of eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus). No rufous rat kangaroos (Aepyprymnus rufescens) or swamp wallabies (Wallabia bicolor) were infected. Most cysts in macropods were viable, whereas in pigs about half were viable and in cattle only 0.7% contained viable protoscoleces. Infection with E granulosus was detected in 76% of dingoes, whereas no infection was detected in domestic dogs in the study area. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the sylvatic cycle of E granulosus in the study area was maintained mainly through predation of black-striped wallabies by dingoes, and that the verges of dense scrub were the main nidus of infection.     

Serological diagnosis of Echinococcus granulosus infection in sheep using cyst fluid antigen processed by antibody affinity chromatography

Serum antibody responses in sheep naturally or experimentally infected with Echinococcus granulosus and/or other larval cestodes were examined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with various antigens prepared from sheep hydatid cyst fluid ( SHCF ). Serum donors included: sheep experimentally infected with E. granulosus and their age-matched non-infected controls; sheep experimentally infected with other helminth parasites; sheep naturally infected with E. granulosus both from Tasmania and the Australian mainland; sheep from Tasmania naturally infected with larval cestodes other than E. granulosus; and naturally reared sheep completely free from infection with larval cestodes. Attempts were made to eliminate serological reactions which were not specific for E. granulosus by using a series of antibody affinity chromatography steps to deplete crude SHCF antigen; these included adsorption with a monoclonal antibody, 3EgH 29-2, removal of host IgG using rabbit anti-sheep IgG antibody, and removal of antigens which bound non-specifically to normal sheep immunoglobulin. The final affinity-depleted antigen product was designated AD SHCF . Specific serological reactivity in infected sheep was very low. Affinity depletion of SHCF using 3EgH 29-2 did not appear to increase the specificity of serological diagnosis of E. granulosus infection when experimentally infected sheep were compared with their non-infected controls provided the latter were age-matched with experimental animals. The other affinity adsorption steps significantly reduced non-specific background binding to antigen by normal sheep serum. Despite this reduction in background in the ELISA, only low levels of antibody could be detected in naturally-infected sheep.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of isatin on the Echinococcus granulosus cyst in an experimental host

The effect of isatin on the E. granulosus cyst was studied. NMRI mice, which were infected with E. granulosus of sheep origin, were treated daily with isatin at a dose of 50 mg kg-1 for 18 days. Ultrastructural damage was observed in the treated cysts, including accumulation of lamellar stacks, electron-dense granules, autophagosomes and lipid vesicles. Moreover, a biochemical study showed an inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity, with a decrease in carbohydrate storage and an increase in acid phosphatase activity. In spite of the short duration of the treatment, the results obtained allowed us to conclude that isatin acts on E. granulosus cysts. This activity appears as a process of degeneration linked to the alkaline phosphatase inhibitory effect of isatin.     

Epidemiological surveillance of ovine hydatidosis in Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia Argentina, 1997-1999

Cystic echinococcosis is the most prevalent zoonosis in Tierra del Fuego province, Argentina, with important economic, productive and public health consequences. The present work was performed to determine the ovine prevalence in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, as well as to evaluate the quality of diagnostic systems in slaughterhouses. Moreover, genetic analyses to characterize the strain of Echinococcus granulosus involved in the region were done. The first actions to perform a diagnosis of the epidemiological situation of hydatidosis in Tierra del Fuego were done between 1976 and 1977. A canine prevalence of 80% and an ovine prevalence of 55% results were obtained. Since 1979 the control program of Hydatidosis of Tierra del Fuego was implemented. It was based on semiannual canine anthelmintic treatment with praziquantel at dose of 5mg/kg, and complemented with sanitary education and canine and ovine epidemiological surveillance. During May 1997-January 1999: 5,916 sheep coming from 20 farms of the programmatic area were evaluated. In the lamb category, hydatid cysts were not found. In the adults category, 62 infected animals were found (3.2%). The ovine prevalence was 1.1% and there was 100% of coincidence between diagnosis in the slaughterhouse, re-inspection in the laboratory and histopathological study. The marked decrease in the prevalence observed for sheep infection evidenced a destabilization of the biological cycle of the parasite. This could be explained by the application of a control program with uninterrupted systematic actions. Polymerase chain reaction-ribosomal ITS-1 DNA (rDNA) restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis and partial sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene were used to characterize E. granulosus isolates collected from different regions of Tierra del Fuego to determine which genotypes occurred in this region. The results revealed the presence of the G1 genotype (sheep-dog strain). This is the first time that a molecular analysis was performed for the E. granulosus isolates from Tierra del Fuego.     

Cystic echinococcosis in Algeria: cattle act as reservoirs of a sheep strain and may contribute to human contamination

In Algeria, cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a serious economic and public health problem. The common sheep/dog cycle is usually considered as the major source of human contamination. But to date the main strain of Echinococcus granulosus involved in the human contamination and the role of other hosts are still unknown. This paper reports an original work performed in northern Algeria combining field observations and molecular analysis. In a first step, examination of 6237 carcasses in slaughterhouses showed high infection and fertility rates in cattle and dromedaries. Then, in a second step, we used a molecular biology approach to identify the E. granulosus strain(s) involved. Forty-six samples from various origins were collected. They were analysed using comparison of PCR-amplified DNA sequences with one genomic (BG 1/3) and two mitochondrial (COI and NDI) targets. Results show the presence of a "sheep" strain of E. granulosus in North Algeria circulating between cattle and ovines and infectious to humans, whereas in South Algeria, a "camel" strain and a "sheep" strain were found to circulate in camels and in sheep, respectively. This study also reports an ambiguous genotype which resembled the "sheep" strain genotype (Gl) on the basis of the partial COI gene sequence, whereas on the basis of the partial NDI gene sequence, it was similar either to the "sheep" strain (Gl) or to the "camel" strain (G6). Besides its basic interest, our study confirms the role of other hosts (mainly cattle) in leading to transmission to humans and suggests that control measures should not only target sheep.     

Cystic echinococcosis in water buffaloes: epidemiological survey and molecular evidence of ovine (G1) and buffalo (G3) strains

A survey of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) of the Italian Mediterranean breed was carried out in Campania, a region of southern Italy. In addition, a molecular study was performed on 48 hydatid cysts coming from 48 water buffaloes in order to determine the Echinococcus granulosus strain(s) present in this host. Out of a total of 722 water buffaloes examined for CE, 76 (10.5%) were found infected. The average number of cysts per buffalo was 4.3 (minimum 1, maximum 45). Seventeen buffaloes had hydatid cysts only in the liver (with an average of 5 cysts/liver), 34 only in the lungs (with an average of 1.8 cysts/lungs), and 25 buffaloes had cysts both in the liver and in the lungs. Fertile cysts were found in 10 (13.2%) out of the 76 positive buffaloes. The sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene of the 48 hydatid cysts produced sequences of 419 bp for each sample analysed. For 33 samples, alignment of the obtained sequences with those present in GenBank showed a total homology with the common domestic sheep strain G1; for 15 samples, sequences obtained showed 100% homology with buffalo strain G3. The findings of the present survey represent the first epidemiological and molecular comprehensive studies on CE in water buffalo from an endemic area for E. granulosus.