Background: Hydatid disease, caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, is a globally significant zoonosis with notable public health and economic impacts. Despite its prevalence in Egypt, research on the genetic diversity of Echinococcus in humans is limited.
Objectives: This study aims to achieve molecular identification and genetic characterization of hydatidosis in Egyptian cases through PCR analysis, followed by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic assessment.
Patients and methods: A descriptive observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 40 hydatid cyst samples from Egyptian patients. These samples were obtained from liver cysts via percutaneous aspiration using the PAIR technique under ultrasonographic guidance, along with three surgically excised hydatid cysts. The aspirated fluid was examined microscopically. Indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT) was done as a routine preoperative test for the suspected cases of the disease. DNA from the protoscolices was used in a PCR targeting cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis that successfully submitted in NCBI GenBank.
Results: IHAT results revealed that only 27.5% of patients tested positive, while 72.5% were negative. PCR analysis of DNA extracted from the human cyst samples demonstrated a 90% positivity rate (36/40) for COX1 gene. Subsequent sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed a 100% homology with E. granulosusgenotype G1 previously obtained from sheep in Egypt.
Conclusions: Zoonotic potential of G1 sheep strain of E.granulosus as a predominant genotype infecting the humans in Egypt. The reported data could be used for proper diagnosis and control of hydatidosis in Egypt.