Parasitology & Infectious Diseases

The pattern of strain variation within Echinococcus granulosus is complex and controversial. Cyst isolates were obtained from different  host species and the strain to which each belonged was established by basic and nested PCR. These results were compared to those obtained by analysis of mitochondrial fragment sequences (NADH dehydrogenase 1) from each isolate. The Libyan sheep strain corresponded with genotype 1 (G1) of the parasite, infecting Libyan sheep. And the Libyan camel strain corresponded with genotype 6 (G6) of the parasite infecting camel, sheep. This circumstance and especially the possibility of intermediate hosts serving as reservoirs of the G6 genotype of the parasite, must be taken into consideration by authorities in order to develop and evaluate effective anti- hydatidosis programmes.