Molecular diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis in humans from central Poland

The identity of the causative agent of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in humans from central Poland receiving treatment between 2000 and 2010 was determined. A total of 47 samples obtained after hepatectomy were examined and protoscoleces were identified in wet preparations in 27 cases. Using DNA extracted from the samples, two mitochondrial regions (nad1 and cox1 genes) were amplified and the nad1 fragment was sequenced. This PCR analysis confirmed the presence of Echinococcus species in 30 cases and nad1 sequence alignments showed identity with the G7 (pig) strain, Echinococcus canadensis. These data demonstrate that the pig strain of this parasite is the most frequent causative agent of human cystic echinococcosis in central Poland.