Molecular Identification and Phylogeny of Ec-4 Antigen B-Like Gene of Hydatid Disease Caused by Echinococcus granulosus Isolated from Cattle in Basrah South Iraq

Background: Cystic hydatid disease is an important infection that affects a wide range of animal species and humans in many world countries with low-quality control procedures of Echinococcus granulosus in canines, especially dogs. Objective: The current study was conducted to identify and explore the genetic evolution in E. granulosus based on the utilization of Ec-4 antigen B-like (EgAgB) gene as molecular target. Methodology: The study included 67 expected liver samples cysts. These samples were subjected to PCR and partial gene sequencing of the EgAgB gene. Results: The results revealed the presence of these cysts in 16 (23.9%) using morphological identification. The PCR revealed that only 4/16 (25%) of the samples were positive for the gene. The genetic evolution-based phylogenetic tree showed that the current study isolates were nucleotide-similar to isolates from the neighbor country; Turkey. Conclusion: The data of this work showed continued existence of the hydatid disease in cattle in the examined city, still involved in a bovine-dog cycle and so represents a reservoir of the parasite which can apply dangerous health impacts on consumers in the city.