Beato, SílviaParreira, RicardoCalado, ManuelaGrácio, Maria Amélia2012-12-172012-12-172010BEATO, Sílvia Filipa Alves [et al.] (2010) - Apparent dominance of the G1-G3 genetic cluster of echinococcus granulosus strains in the central inland region of Portugal. Parasitology Internacional. ISSN 1383-5769. Vol. 59, nº 4. p. 638-6421383-5769http://hdl.handle.net/10400.11/1592Infection by the larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus causes a disease known as cystic echinococcosis or hydatidosis, which is one of the most widespread zoonotic infections of veterinary and medical importance. Numerous studies have shown that E. granulosus exists as a complex of strains differing in a wide variety of criteria. Ten distinct genotypes (G1-G10) have been identified with potential impact on the pathology, epidemiology and the effect of the measures implemented for the control of hydatidosis. Our main objective was to carry out a preliminary analysis of the genotypes of E. granulosus circulating in the central inland region of Portugal. Parasite samples (hydatid cysts, n=27) were isolated from the liver and lung of sheep and cattle. The DNA extracted from protoscoleces isolated from the fertile cysts served a template for the PCR amplification of part of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), ATP synthase F0 subunit 6 (atp6) as well as the large (rrnL/16S) and small (rrnS/12S) ribosomal RNA genes. Similarity searches with homologous sequences in the databanks indicated very high similarity with references assigned to the G1, G3 and/or G1-G3 complex of Echinococcus strains. Phylogenetic analysis (Bayesian approach) supported these observations, and confirmed the assignment of all the analyzed sequences to the G1-G3 genetic cluster.engEchinococcus granulosusHydatic cystG1-G3 genotypesPortugalMitochondrial DNAjournal article2011-03-04