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Background: We aimed to evaluate the differential expression of nanos and ago genes in the protoscoleces, germinal layer, the neck, and the sucker regions of adult Echinococcus granulosus. Methods: The study was conducted in 2018 at the Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. In the present study E. granulosus protoscoleces were cultured in a di-phasic medium to obtain strobilated worms. The strobilated worms were harvested and using a sterile razor blade, the neck region was separated. In the molecular study the neck sections were compared with the tissues derived from the suckers from the same worm. The primers were specifically designed for RT-qPCR on nanos and ago. The germinative cells were isolated from the cyst germinal layer and cultured in DMEM for further molecular studies. The Immunohistochemical profile was designed to explore the nature of nanos protein in the strobilated worms. Differences between and within groups were statistically assessed relative to the protoscoleces. Results: An increasing nanos gene expressions were found in sucker, neck, cells and germinal layer in comparison to the protoscoleces. The expression of ago gene was decreased in sucker, cell and germinal layer, and increased in the neck region in comparison to the protoscoleces. The results showed that both genes were expressed in all developmental stages of E. granulosus. Conclusion: nanos and ago genes were differentially expressed at different developmental stages of E. granulosus and may contribute to differentiation of the parasite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Snails of the genus Galba are the intermediate hosts of Fasciola species, the etiological agents of liver fluke disease, fascioliasis. A genetically different but morphologically very similar species in the genus, G. schirazensis, is sympatrically distributed with G. truncatula in some regions of the world. We aimed to investigate the occurrence of G. schirazensis in Kerman province, Iran and to characterize genetically G. schirazensis specimens from southeast Iran. Methods: Field-collected snails from four localities in Jiroft, Bam and Faryab, Kerman province, southeastern Iran were studied. Hydrological variables including temperature and pH were recorded for each habitat. Each specimen was identified using morphological as well as conchological characteristics. Genetic characterization was performed using PCR-sequencing followed by phylogenetic analyses on nuclear ITS2 as well as mitochondrial cox1 gene fragments. MaxEnt software was used to predict the most appropriate ecological niches for the targeted species. Results: G. schirazensis was found in 4 out of 28 locations. One ITS2 and two cox1 haplotypes were detected among G. schirazensis populations from the four localities. Habitat study showed that G. schirazensis thrives in habitats with alkaline pH. G.schirazensis from South America were clustered with specimens from Bam, Kerman, Iran; however, north Iranian isolates of G. schirazensis were strongly correlated with specimens from Jiroft and Faryab. MaxEnt model for the most appropriate ecological niches of the targeted species predicted environmental suitability for this species in western Africa as well as coastal areas in north and southwestern Africa. Conclusion: G. schirazensis is frequently present in southern areas of Kerman Province. At least two genetically different haplotypes are present in southeastern Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human echinococcosis is a neglected zoonotic disease distributed worldwide. It comprises cystic and alveolar forms, the former being the more prevalent disease. Imaging techniques are the first choice for diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis and serology is used as an additional diagnostic technique in doubtful cases or as the sole test in low-resource settings. Rapid diagnostic tests are useful and convenient for immunodiagnosis of cystic echinococcosisin endemic areas, where medical facilities often struggle with limited resources. Methods: Recently, we have developed Hyd Rapid™, an IgG4 lateral flow dipstick test using recombinant antigen B1 for detection of cystic echinococcosis. This study was performed between 2016 until 2018 at the Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia. The diagnostic performance of Hyd Rapid™ was tested in-house and at two international laboratories in Switzerland and Iran. Results: The overall diagnostic sensitivity for detection of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis was 95% (56/59). Meanwhile, the diagnostic specificity, with and without exclusion of cysticercosis and fascioliasis, was 100% (n=48) and 88% (63/72), respectively. Conclusion: Hyd Rapid™ detected cystic echinococcosis as well as probable cases of alveolar echinococcosis. Therefore, Hyd Rapid™ showed good potential as a serological tool for echinococcosis, and merits further evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Echinococcus granulosus, Taenia multiceps, Taenia ovis and Taenia hydatigena are among the most prevalent taeniid species of dogs. These tapeworms infect ruminant and humans as intermediate hosts and domestic/wild carnivores as the definitive hosts. Molecular tools using hypervariable microsatellite regions might provide more information about parasite variation. Highly variable and specific tools are needed for transmission tracking studies of canine echinococcosis as an essential element for implementation of hydatid control programs. Suitable microsatellite markers used so far are EmsJ, EmsK, EmsB, EMms1, Egmsca1, Egmsga1, U1 snRNA. The purpose of the present study was to determine the microsatellite variability of EmsB as well as six other microsatellites in major taeniid species infecting dogs in Iran. Methods: Twenty isolates of each of the four Taeniidae tapeworms were collected from sheep during routine veterinary inspection in Tehran, Alborz and Kerman provinces from October 2010 to May 2011. After DNA extraction, PCR was set up with optimum conditions using specific primers for each individual microsatellite marker. All the PCR products were evaluated by agarose gel electrophoresis. We used SDSPAGE for evaluating patterns of PCR products in the tapeworms. Results: E. granulosus as well as Taenia species could be differentiated based on EmsB microsatellite patterns. The electrophoresis patterns of two taeniid genera were readily distinguishable. EmsB could be specifically used in epidemiological studies of canine echinococcosis. Conclusion: Different patterns of EmsB proved this microsatellite marker as a reliable tool for epidemiological studies on canine echinococcosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]