{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Echinococcus granulosus Sensu Stricto and Echinococcus multilocularis in a Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) in Turkey: Further Evidence for Increased Risk of Alveolar Echinococcosis in Urban Areas.
{Author}: Akyuz M;Kirman R;Guven E;Balkaya I;Avcioglu H;
{Journal}: Acta Parasitol
{Volume}: 69
{Issue}: 2
{Year}: 2024 Jun 25
{Factor}: 1.534
{DOI}: 10.1007/s11686-024-00842-x
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>The aim of this study was to identify Echinococcus species by morphological and molecular means.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A dead gray wolf (Canis lupus) was found near Erzurum province and brought to the parasitology laboratory. Sedimentation and counting technique (SCT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis were conducted.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The SCT implications indicated that the wolf had a substantial worm burden (62,720 and 49,280 parasites) due to a co-infection of E. granulosus s.l. and E. multilocularis. Genus/species-specific PCR was used to analyze DNA extracted from adult worms and confirmed as E. granulosus s.s. and E. multilocularis, utilizing COI and 12S rRNA gene sequence analysis, respectively.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>This report presents the first co-detection of E. granulosus s.s. and E. multilocularis in a gray wolf found in an urban area in a highly endemic area for human echinococcosis in northeastern Turkey. The results emphasize that AE is not only a problem of rural areas, but also occurs in urban areas, which may pose a threat to public health. Therefore, surveillance in urban areas is crucial. The need to develop new control strategies for domestic and wildlife in the study area is also highlighted.