Yılmaz, Ahmet; Aydın, Hakan; Akkaş, Önder; Aydın, Yener; Eren, Suat; Uslu, Hakan

Background: We aimed to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of Echinococcus granulosus using various cyst materials from the parasite obtained from humans in eastern Türkiye. Methods: We used cyst samples from 61 patients diagnosed with hydatid cysts by the Department of Thoracic Surgery and Department of Radiology at Atatürk University Faculty of Medicine between 2019 and 2023. Microscopic examination of protoscolex in cyst samples was performed, and, if available, the patients' ELISA IgG results were obtained from the hospital automation system. Two primer pairs revealed DNA regions specific to E. granulosus (12S rRNA and mt-COX1). Sequence analysis was performed on samples found positive for mt-COX1 PCR, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed from the resulting data. Results: The rate of scolex in microscopic examination was 31/61 (50.8%), and the ELISA IgG positivity rate was 36/51 (70.6%). As a result of PCR analysis of 12S rRNA and mt-COX1 gene regions of 61 cyst samples, positivity was determined in 48 (78.7%) samples. As a result of PCR product sequence analysis, it was found that all samples were of the E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1, G3) genotype. Lung cyst alone was detected in 25 (40.9%) cases, while only liver cyst was detected in 15 (24.6%) cases. In 13 (21.3) cases, cysts were present in both the lungs and the liver. Conclusion: The genotype of E. granulosus isolates obtained from cyst material from patients diagnosed with hydatid cysts in Erzurum and surrounding provinces was a domestic sheep strain (G1, G3).

Akkaş, Önder; Özgökçe, Mesut; Aydemir, Selahattin; Dündar, İlyas; Ekici, Abdurrahman

Background: Echinococcus granulosus is spread by the excretion of cystic organs into the environment. The dog is infected via eating the cystic organ. It then contami-nates the environment with eggs of E. granulosus, which are infective to humans and animals. We aimed to determine the E. granulosus genotypes that cause infection in humans in the Van region, Türkiye. Methods: Sixty patients between 18 and 100 years of age, who underwent the puncture, aspiration, injection, re-aspiration (PAIR) procedure in the Department of Radiodiognastics of Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van, Türkiye were included in the study. PAIR fluids were examined microscopically and DNA was isolated from the fluids. After DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using primers that amplify the E. granulosus NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (NAD1) gene region. After sequence analysis of the PCR amplicons, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) was performed. Results: In the microscopic examination, protoscolex or hook was detected in 42 (70%) of the samples. DNA was successfully extracted from all of the cyst fluids containing protoscolex and hook, and the NAD1 gene region was PCR-amplified. After using BLAST, all of the samples were determined to be an E. granulosus sensu stricto G1 genotype. Sequence comparison revealed that four (9.5%) isolate sequences showed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Sequences of isolates with SNP submitted to the GenBank with accession numbers OR565864 to OR565867. Conclusion: E. granulosus s.s. G1 genotype, known as sheep strain, is common in human hydatid disease in the Van region of Türkiye.

Akkas, Onder; Uslu, Hakan; Yilmaz, Isa; Aydın, Yener; Korkut, Ercan; Yilmaz, Ahmet

Background: We aimed to determine the prevalence of Alveolar echinococcusis using ELISA in our region, to perform the specific differentiation of species by using the Western Blott method, to diagnose and treat this disease effectively in early periods, and to inform the patients about the results quickly. Methods: From the provinces of Erzurum, Kars, Ardahan, Iğdır, Ağrı and Erzincan in the Eastern Anatolia Region, Turkey in August-September 2017, blood samples were provided from 305 participants (volunteer patients and their relatives), including 151 females (49.50%), whose ages ranged between 6-85 yr and were diagnosed as Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) and operated in concerned clinics. Results: EIgG ELISA was determined as positive in 29 (9.5%) participants, including 17 (11.3%) females and 12 (7.8%) males. In addition, Em2-Em18 ELISA was also determined as positive in 15 (4.9%) participants, including 9 (6%) females and 6 (3.9%) males. Tweleve (3.94 %) of these findings were observed as positive in terms of both tests. Through the verification done by Anti-EWB IgG, Echinococcus multilocularis (EM) was identified in 7 (21.9%) of the female participants, E. granulosus (EG) in 1 (3.1%), and both parasites in 2 (6.2%). For male participants, EM was determined in 3 (9.3%) of them, EG in 1 (3.1%), and both parasites in 1 (3.1%). Conclusion: AE continues to threaten public health in the region. In families where AE is detected positive, the reason for disease is based on nutrition; thus, it will be proper to check up all family members in the terms of infection.