“Molecular Identification of Echinococcus granulosus Larval Stages in Mosul, Iraq Using ITS1 Gene Sequencing.” | ||
| Assiut Veterinary Medical Journal | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 31 October 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Research article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/avmj.2025.424643.1889 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Amina Mohammed Shafiq* ; Fouad Salim AL-Rubaye | ||
| Department of Biology, College of Education for Women, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Cystic echinococcosis (CE), the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, is a significant zoonotic disease all over the world. This study aimed to molecularly characterize two E. granulosus isolates (labeled AF1 and AF2) in Mosul Iraq by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis through internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) gene. Protoscolices taken out of sheep were used to extract genomic DNA of which the ITS1 region was amplified. The results demonstrated the genetic heterogeneity of E. granulosus in Mosul and. (accession numbers PX105153.1 and PX105154.1) using PCR. BLASTn homology search showed high similarity in the sequences (96- 99%) between E. granulosus isolates found in many hosts (sheep, buffalo, goat, cattle and human). Neighbor-Joining phylogenetic analysis (MEGA 11) revealed that two isolates AF1 and AF2 fell within a heterogeneous clade of E. granulosus strains indicating that they are attributable to the common E. granulosus sensu stricto group and have general genetic affiliations with strains that represent E. granulosus (s.l.) within different geographic regions and hosts. These results demonstrated the genetic heterogeneity of E. granulosus in the Mosul , and the significance of molecular characterization with respect to epidemiological monitoring. The research highlighted the importance of molecular characterization for epidemiological monitoring offered new genetic information that will assist in control methods against this zoonotic parasite. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Echinococcus granulosus; ITS1 gene; molecular characterization; phylogenetic analysis; cystic echinococcosis | ||
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