Preliminary Studies on the Prevalence and Genotyping of Infection in Stray Dogs in Van Province, Turkey.

INTRODUCTION

is a zoonotic helminth of the family living in the small intestines of dogs. The hydatid cyst, which is the larval form of this parasite, is observed in sheep, goat, cattle, and many other organisms including humans. It causes a disease called cystic echinococcosis. Identification of strains of in dogs is critical in parasite control and eradication where possible. This study aims to determine the genotype of eggs and prevalence of this parasite in the faeces of dogs in the Van Province using the copro-PCR method.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study was conducted between 2015 and 2016 on the faeces obtained from 100 stray dogs from different parts of the Van Province. The coprological examination was conducted using the formalin-ether concentration method.

RESULTS

eggs were found in 10 (10%) out of 100 faecal samples. was detected in 4 out of 10 of these (40%) infected samples. Sequence analysis of positive amplicons obtained from PCR showed that there were sheep strains (G1).

CONCLUSION

Dogs in Van area are primarily infected with the livestock genotype of , which is thought to be a potential zoonotic threat to humans.