Updating on cystic echinococcosis in northern Italy

Recent updating of Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) due to Echinococcus granulosus in Italy shows different prevalence levels with sporadic (north) endemic (center) and hyper endemic (south and islands) areas. The analysis of 2004–2006) passive monitoring of CE from slaughter data allowed to check 1271 stocks of adult sheep (464 farms), 1209 of national origin and 62 from abroad. The total number of inspected sheep was 16.999, 88% of national origin. Specimens of germinal layer from six farms were collected, DNA of 11 viable cysts was extracted and PCR applied for the strain typing. Results were confirmed by sequencing COI and NADH mithocondrial genes. Data about livers and lungs were collected independently but there was a positive correlation between the number of positive livers and lungs in stocks (r =0.82, P<0.001). The observed lungs prevalence (37.5%) was significantly higher (chi square, P< 0.001) than the liver one (24.5%). Lungs prevalences calculated for different areas ranged from 27.2 % (abroad) to almost 40 % in center and Sardinia but this difference disappears as national areas only were considered (chi square, P>0.1). The G1-G2-G3 Cluster was identified with nested PCR, while sequencing lead us to identify 9 samples belonging to G1 (sheep) strain and 2 to G3 (buffalo) strains. The results highlight the high prevalence of CE everywhere sheep are bred independently from the socio-economic development and the number of sheep raised