Molecular detection of Nad5 in cystic echinococcosis in human and livestock animals in Erbil

Background and objective: Echinococcus granulosus can cause hydatidosis, or echinococcosis, in both herbivores and omnivores. Hydatid cysts are the larval stage of this tapeworm. As a zoonotic illness, it affects people all over the world. Devastating effects on human and animal health as well as massive economic losses, disproportionately felt in the agriculture sector, characterize this disease. Genomic segments from cox1 and nad1 genes have allowed for the identification of distinct genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) in both humans and domesticated animals. The current investigation aimed to distinguish between the G1/G3 genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus (s.s.) in cattle via the nad5 gene fragment. Methods: The present study was conducted in Erbil city. Sheep, goat, and cattle hydatid cyst samples (36 isolates) were collected from the Erbil slaughterhouse. In addition, 11 fresh human hydatid cyst samples were taken from patients with hydatid cysts who underwent surgical operations in Rizgary Teaching Hospital. The hydatid cysts were subjected to examination for fertility and viability in addition to DNA extraction for genotyping based on the Nad5 gene. Results: Out of 42 samples, 15 samples were sequenced, and all samples belonged to the G1 genotype (sheep strain). DNA sequencing of hydatid cysts from both animal and human sources showed mutations in various positions of the Nad5 gene, consistent with the dominant G1 genotype. In human samples, several variations overlap with other hosts, but unique ones include human 11,12 glycine/alanine at 142 arginine/glutamine, glycine/threonine at 303 valine/phenylalanine, T/A at 334 valine/aspartic acid, and T/C at 361 arginine/histidine, which result in 99% identity to the G1 strain. Conclusion: Humans and animals in Erbil most commonly harbor the G1 genotype of E. granulosuss. s.s. according to the study. The findings provided additional evidence that the Nad5 gene accurately distinguished between humans and cattle, sheep, goats, and E.granulosus G1/G3 isolates.