Development of real-time polymerase chain reaction assays allowing molecular detection of Echinococcus felidis, Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto, and Echinococcus canadensis in carnivore feces samples, animal and human hydatid cyst material from Uganda and Kenya

Abstract

First evaluations on field samples, including carnivore feces, animal and human hydatid cyst material from Uganda and Kenya, showed specific amplification of two target regions of the mitochondrial genome of Echinococcus species according to melt and high-resolution melt curve analyses of the developed real-time PCR assays. Consecutive sequencing of PCR products revealed that, apart from Echinococcus felidis, sequences of two other tapeworm species, Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto and Echinococcus canadensis, which are also endemic in East Africa, were detected by the developed real-time PCR assays.