Genetic variation of antigen B2 among Echinococcus granulosus isolates in Tabriz, North West of Iran

Cystic hydatid disease (CHD) is recognized as one of the most important zoonotic disease in the world. CHD is caused principally by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. Because of Antibody cross-reaction with antigens from other taeniid cestodes and lack of sensitivity and specificity in CE immunodiagnostic tests; this study designed to find the polymorphism of the Antigen B among animal isolates. The result of this genetic variability is necessary and important for evaluation, application, and standardization of diagnostic tests using AgB. 100 animal hydatid isolates (60 sheep cyst, 40 cattle cyst) collected from domestic animals at slaughterhouses of Tabriz. DNA extracted from protoscolices of sheep isolates and germinal layer of cattle isolates. All sheep isolates gave similar patterns of PCR-RFLP after digestion with AluI. The results of RFLP pattern showed high degree of genetic likeness in each strain. Amplification to the DNA samples extracted from germinal layer of cattle isolates not completed by using Eg AgB2 specific primer suggesting substantial level of inter-strain variation in AgB2 related genes. Therefore, In endemic regions and countries serologic evaluation and genetic variability of AgB prepared from different E. granulosus hosts must be considered.