Echinococcosis: Epidemiology and Genotyping of Echinococcus Speices in Sudan

Abstract

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is considered as a re-emerging disease in various regions, e.g. the Middle East, central Asia, and northern and eastern Africa. In sub-Saharan Africa, CE is highly endemic. In this study, data were collected in abattoir-based surveys in Tamboul town (Central-Eastern Sudan,) and in Nyala abattoir (Darfour region). Out of 1012 camels examined in Tampoul (713) and Nyala (299) an infection rate of 16.1% and 29.1% was reported, respectively. The favorite site for camel’s cysts is the lung (81%). Fertility rate of cysts encountered from camels is about 57%. This finding appears to reflect the importance of the camel as a major intermediate host of this zoonotic disease in Tamboul and Nyala area. Echinococcus isolates (81) collected from camels were genotyped by PCR-RFLP and specific G5/6/7 PCR. In all cases, the G6 genotype of E. canadensis was found. The public-health impact of these finding are discussed in terms of the various species and genotypes of Echinococcus and the role of each in human health.