Genetic characterization of human hydatid cysts shows coinfection by Echinococcus canadensis G7 and Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto G1 in Argentina

Human cystic echinococcosis caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) is a highly endemic disease in the province of Neuquen, Patagonia, Argentina. Human infections with E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) G1 and Echinococcus canadensis G6 were reported in Neuquen in previous studies, whereas four genotypes were identified in livestock: G1, G3, G6, and G7. The aim of this study was to identify the genotypes of E. granulosus s.l. isolates from humans of Neuquen province, Patagonia, Argentina, through the 2005–2014 period. Twenty six hydatid cysts were obtained from 21 patients. The most frequent locations were the liver and lungs. Single cysts were observed in 81.0% of patients, and combined infection of liver and lungs was detected in 9.5% of cases. Partial sequencing of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) genes identified the presence of E. granulosus s.s. G1 (n = 11; 42.3%) including three different partial sequences; E. canadensis G6 (n = 14; 53.8%) and E. canadensis G7 (n = 1; 3.9%). Coinfection with G1 and G7 genotypes was detected in one patient who harbored three liver cysts. Most of the liver cysts corresponded to G1 and G6 genotypes. This study presents the first report in the Americas of a human infection with E. canadensis G7 and the second worldwide report of a coinfection with two different species and genotypes of E. granulosus s.l in humans. The molecular diversity of this parasite should be considered to redesign or improve the control program strategies in endemic regions.Centro Universitario de Estudios Microbiológicos y Parasitológico

Differences in clinical aspects of human cystic echinococcosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto and the G6 genotype in Neuquén, Argentina

Most human cystic echinococcosis (CE) cases worldwide are attributed to Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (s.s), followed by the G6 and G7 genotypes. While E. granulosus s.s. has a cosmopolitan distribution, the G6 genotype is restricted to areas where camels and goats are present. Goats are the primary livestock in the Neuquén province in Argentina where the G6 genotype has been reported to be responsible for a significant percentage of CE human cysts genotyped. In the present study, we genotyped 124 Echinococcus cysts infecting 90 CE-confirmed patients. Echinococcus granulosus s.s. was identified in 51 patients (56.7%) with 81 cysts and the G6 genotype in 39 patients (43.3%) harbouring 43 cysts. Most CE cases ≤18 years were male suggesting pastoral work could be a risk factor for the infection. Echinococcus granulosus s.s. was significantly found more frequently in the liver (32/51 patients) and the G6 genotype in the lungs and extrahepatic localizations (27/39). The patients infected with E. granulosus s.s., presented up to 6 cysts while patients infected with G6 presented a maximum of 2. The diameter of lung cysts attributed to E. granulosus s.s. was significantly larger compared to lung cysts from G6. Following the WHO ultrasound classification of liver cysts, we observed inactive cysts in 55.6% of G6 cysts and only 15.3% of E. granulosus s.s cysts. In conclusion, we provide evidence of differences in clinical aspects of CE caused by E. granulosus s.s. and the G6 genotype of E. granulosus s.l. complex infecting humans

Genetic characterization of human hydatid cysts shows coinfection by Echinococcus canadensis G7 and Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto G1 in Argentina

Human cystic echinococcosis caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) is a highly endemic disease in the province of Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina. Human infections with E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) G1 and Echinococcus canadensis G6 were reported in Neuquén in previous studies, whereas four genotypes were identified in livestock: G1, G3, G6, and G7. The aim of this study was to identify the genotypes of E. granulosus s.l. isolates from humans of Neuquén province, Patagonia, Argentina, through the 2005–2014 period. Twenty six hydatid cysts were obtained from 21 patients. The most frequent locations were the liver and lungs. Single cysts were observed in 81.0% of patients, and combined infection of liver and lungs was detected in 9.5% of cases. Partial sequencing of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) genes identified the presence of E. granulosus s.s. G1 (n = 11; 42.3%) including three different partial sequences; E. canadensis G6 (n = 14; 53.8%) and E. canadensis G7 (n = 1; 3.9%). Coinfection with G1 and G7 genotypes was detected in one patient who harbored three liver cysts. Most of the liver cysts corresponded to G1 and G6 genotypes. This study presents the first report in the Americas of a human infection with E. canadensis G7 and the second worldwide report of a coinfection with two different species and genotypes of E. granulosus s.l in humans. The molecular diversity of this parasite should be considered to redesign or improve the control program strategies in endemic regions.Fil: Debiaggi, Maria Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Soriano, Silvia Viviana. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Pierangeli, Nora Beatriz. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Lazzarini, Lorena Evelina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Pianciola, Luis Alfredo. Provinica de de Neuquén. Subsecretaría de Salud; ArgentinaFil: Mazzeo, Melina Leonor. Provinica de de Neuquén. Subsecretaría de Salud; ArgentinaFil: Moguillansky, Sergio. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Basualdo Farjat, Juan Angel. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentin

First study about the development of adult Echinococcus canadensis G6 genotype of goat origin in experimentally infected dogs

Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (E. granulosus sl) must be considered as a species complex, comprising Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (E. granulosus ss, genotypes G1-G3), Echinococcus equinus (G4), Echinococcus ortleppi (G5) and Echinococcus canadensis (G6-G10) although the species status of E. canadensis is still controversial. These genotypes closely match the intermediate hosts associated strains described in earlier times among which E. canadensis G6 corresponds to the camel strain. As there are no studies concerning the development of adult stages of the G6 genotype from non-camel origin, the aims of the present study were: to characterize for the first time the development of E. canadensis G6 in dogs experimentally infected with protoscoleces derived from goats, to describe the resultant adult morphology, to evaluate the growth of their rostellar hooks from larval to adult stages and to determine the prepatent period of the strobilar stage of E. canadensis G6 derived from goats. The development of the strobilar stage of E. canadensis G6 genotype of goat origin was examined by studying the growth (variation of the total worm length) and segmentation in experimentally infected dogs at 14, 25, 35 and 56 days post infection. A morphological characterization of 35-day-old worms as well as of larval and adult rostellar hooks was also carried out by conventional optical microscopic observations and/or by scanning electron microscopy. The prepatent period of the strobilar stage was assessed by microscopic examination of faeces from 2 infected dogs. Our results were compared with published data from the camel and other strains. The roles of the host, genotype and species in morphological and developmental features as well as the taxonomic position of E. canadensis G6 were discussed. The prepatent period of E. canadensis G6 genotype of goat origin was determined as at least, 41 days. The obtained results contribute to increase the knowledge about the biology and genetics of E. granulosus sl complex and are also of practical usefulness for the design of disease control strategies.Fil: Soriano, Silvia Viviana. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Debiaggi, Maria Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Pierangeli, Nora Beatriz. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Pianciola, Luis Alfredo. Provincia de Neuquén. Subsecretaría de Salud; ArgentinaFil: Bergagna, Héctor Fabián Jesús. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Lazzarini, Lorena Evelina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Mazzeo, Melina. Provincia de Neuquén. Subsecretaría de Salud; ArgentinaFil: Basualdo Farjat, Juan Angel. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentin