Spirometra Erinaceieuropaei in a Wildcat (Felis Silvestris) in Iran Publisher Pubmed



Badri M¹ ; Eslahi AV² ; Majidiani H¹ ; Pirestani M¹ Show Affiliations
Source: Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports Published:2017

Abstract

The zoonotic helminth, Spirometra, has several species with almost global distribution. Herein, we describe the first detailed molecular detection of Spirometra erinaceieuropaei in a road-killed wildcat (Felis silvestris) in Iran and its identification at the species level using CO1 gene. Genomic DNA was extracted using CTAB extraction method. The DNA then was applied for PCR amplification of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CO1) gene. Afterwards, PCR product was sequenced and obtained data were analyzed and multiple aligned using BLAST program, ClustalX and Bioedit software. Microscopy findings and diagnostic clues revealed that the parasite is a Spirometra sp. cestode. Consequently, molecular analysis on the basis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene demonstrated that the species is Spirometra erinaceieuropaei. Regarding optimum climate conditions and previous reports of animal infection in this region, the likelihood of human involvement should be potentially considered. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.