Molecular detection of E. granulosus sheep strain (G1) infections in naturally infected dogs in Punjab (India)

Echinococcosis is a preventable but neglected zoonosis in India. Although the disease in domestic animals is usually asymptomatic, huge economic losses have been reported due to cystic echinococcosis in livestock in India. The molecular characterization of Echinococcus from dog populations has not been previously carried out in Punjab (India). A total of 237 pet and stray dog faecal samples were collected and examined for the presence of eggs of the Taeniidae family in Punjab (India). A 255 base pair fragment of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene was amplified and the presence of sheep strain (G1) of E. granulosus has been reported. We detected eggs of the Taeniidae family in 2.11 per cent of the faecal samples. High prevalence was recorded in stray dogs (9.52 %) living near slaughter shops/post mortem areas. The prevalence of E. granulosus sheep strain (G1) using PCR was found to be 0.84 per cent in naturally infected dogs. This is the first study confirming the presence of E. granulosus (G1) sheep strain in dogs in Punjab (India). The results reveal the presence of sheep strain of E. granulosus and demand implementation of Animal Birth Control programme so as to control the stray dog population of the country.