[Molecular genetic characterization of genus Echinococcus.]

Morphological, biological and epidemiological features of the adult and metacestode stage of the genus Echinococcus have been the most frequently used criteria for the characterization of species. But strain characterization is more complex and is based on the morphological, biological, biochemical, epidemiological and molecular features. Although morphological and biological studies have provided extremely useful information for strain characterization, that these features may be variable must be taken into consideration. They may be influenced by host and environmental factors and may not reflect distinctness at a genetic level. Although, conventional techniques may be affected by the environment or host, molecular techniques allow a direct characterization of the genome of the parasite and they are not affected by environmental factors. In this review, various data concerning molecular typing methods of the genus Echinococcus have been summarized.