Genotype and Phenotype of Echinococcus granulosus Derived from Wild Sheep (Ovis orientalis) in Iran

The aim of the present study is to determine the characteristics of genotype and phenotype of Echinococcus granulosus derived from wild sheep and to compare them with the strains of E. granulosus sensu stricto (sheep-dog) and E. granulosus camel strain (camel-dog) in Iran. In Khojir National Park, near Tehran, Iran, a fertile hydatid cyst was recently found in the liver of a dead wild sheep (Ovis orientalis). The number of protoscolices (n=6,000) proved enough for an experimental infection in a dog. The characteristics of large and small hooks of metacestode were statistically determined as the sensu stricto strain but not the camel strain (P=0.5). To determine E. granulosus genotype, 20 adult worms of this type were collected from the infected dog. The second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and cytochrome c oxidase 1 subunit (COX1) of the mitochondrial DNA were amplified from individual adult worm by PCR. Subsequently, the PCR product was sequenced by Sanger method. The lengths of ITS2 and COX1 sequences were 378 and 857 bp, respectively, for all the sequenced samples. The amplified DNA sequences from both ribosomal and mitochondrial genes were highly similar (99% and 98%, respectively) to that of the ovine strain in the GenBank database. The results of the present study indicate that the morpho-molecular features and characteristics of E. granulosus in the Iranian wild sheep are the same as those of the sheep-dog E. granulosus sensu stricto strain.

[ study on single nucleotide polymorphisms in Plasmodium fakiparum chloroquine resistance during two years in Chabahar]

Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance is a major problem in malaria endemic areas. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in pfcrt and pfmdr1 genes are known to be associated with chloroquine resistance in some parts of the world. The major goal of the present study was to detect the five single nucleotide polymorphisms in pfmdr1 gene and one single nucleotide polymorphisms in pfcrt gene. Total of 26 blood samples were collected from falciparum malaria infectious person with chloroquine failure in Chabahar, a harbor located in Sistan baluchestan during 2 years. Detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms were carried out by Real-Time PCR using Light CyclerTM hybridization probe assay. Our data showed that the pfmdr1 N86Y mutation was detected in 6[23%] samples. Although this mutation was not observed in the first year but in the second year it was substancial. In addition the pfcrt K76T mutation was detected in 11 samples [42.3%] of CVMNT haplotype, 7 samples [26.9%] of CVIET haplotype, 5 samples [19.2%] of SVMNT haplotype and 2 samples [7.6%] of SVIET haplotype. The mutations considerably have increased during 2 years. Our results showed single nucleotide polymorphisms in pfmdr1 and pfcrt genes. This could be considered as chloroquine resistance markers for malaria control in Chabahar