Evidence that the Echinococcus granulosus G6 genotype has an affinity for the brain in humans

Int J Parasitol. 2013 Oct;43(11):875-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.06.008. Epub 2013 Jul 26.

Abstract

The present study investigates the molecular characteristics of cerebral Echinococcus cysts. A total of 10 specimens of cerebral Echinococcus cysts, including six formalin-fixed paraffin blocks and four intact cerebral cysts, were used for this study. The target DNA was successfully amplified from eight samples and sequenced. BLAST analysis indicated that sequenced isolates belong to the Echinococcus granulosus (G6) genotype. All of the eight sampled brain cysts belonged to the G6 genotype, while all of the eight liver cysts belonged to G1. This is a strong indication that G6 has a higher affinity for the human brain than G1.

Keywords: Brain; Echinococcosis; Echinococcus cyst; Echinococcus granulosus; G6 genotype; Human.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / parasitology*
  • Cluster Analysis
  • DNA, Helminth / chemistry
  • DNA, Helminth / genetics
  • Echinococcosis / parasitology*
  • Echinococcus granulosus / classification
  • Echinococcus granulosus / genetics
  • Echinococcus granulosus / physiology*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • DNA, Helminth

Associated data

  • GENBANK/JF836797
  • GENBANK/JF836798
  • GENBANK/JF836799
  • GENBANK/JF836800
  • GENBANK/JF836801
  • GENBANK/JF836802
  • GENBANK/JF836803
  • GENBANK/JN560698
  • GENBANK/JN560699
  • GENBANK/JN562748
  • GENBANK/JN562749
  • GENBANK/JN562750
  • GENBANK/JN579161
  • GENBANK/JN621320
  • GENBANK/JN621321
  • GENBANK/JN621322