Genetic variability in Italian sheep isolates of Echinococcus granulosus.

The possible polymorphism of distinct Italian Echinococcus granulosus isolates was evaluated by RAPD-PCR using five arbitrarily chosen random primers. Sheep DNA was used as control in each RAPD-PCR to ascertain the host DNA contamination. Distinct amplification patterns were detected for each isolate revealing identical bands, with the same or different intensity, as well as distinct bands. The results of this study confirm the usefulness of RAPD-PCR technique in genetic typing of parasites and show the existence of genetic variability within the Italian E. granulosus sheep strain.