First genetic characterization of human cystic echinococcosis in Uruguay

FIGUEREDO, ELISA; LIPORACE, VANESSA; MOURGLIA-ETTLIN, GUSTAVO; AVILA, HÉCTOR GABRIEL; DA ROSA, DANIEL; ROSENZVIT, MARA

REVISTA PANAMERICANA DE SALUD PúBLICA

Washington, D.C. : Pan American Health Organization

Año: 2022 vol. 46 p. 1 - 5

1020-4989

Cystic echinococcosis is endemic and hyperendemic in Uruguay. The objective of this study was to determinethe species and genotype of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato in symptomatic patients with cysticechinococcosis who underwent surgery, together with the location and stage of the cysts. The study included13 patients aged between 6 and 57 years old. Samples of cysts from these cases were analyzed usingDNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing. The results revealed the presenceof E. granulosus sensu stricto in all cases, with 12 samples belonging to the G1 genotype and 1 to the G3genotype, suggesting that disease persistence might be related to the dog–sheep cycle. However, other intermediatehosts, such as cattle, could also be involved. Cysts were most frequently found in the liver, followedby muscle and other sites (e.g. pulmonary, vertebral, pelvic and cardiac); and stage CE1 was most frequentlyfound, followed by CE2 and CE3b. Three cases occurred in children or adolescents, suggesting an active parasitecycle in at least some areas of the country. Since there is considerable diversity of E. granulosus sensulato species and genotypes in South America, it is important to continue the present study in order to drawstronger epidemiological conclusions.