Echinococcus granulosus

Echinococcosis is a frequent hepatic parasitic disease in several countries but it is practically absent in Mexico. A cattle strain of Echinococcus granulosus was identified by RAPD, PCR-RFLP and mitochondrial CO1 gene analysis in an autochthonous case. The parasite was obtained after a laparoscopic excision of a liver cyst from a patient that was symptomatic for 6 years but mis-diagnosed before hospitalization.

Hydatidosis is endemic in Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina, even though sanitary authorities have been performing a control programme since 1970. At present, the programme is in consolidation phase, and dogs have being evaluated by arecoline purgation. The aims of this study were to evaluate diagnostic performance of a coproantigen (CAg) ELISA test developed "in house" and to assess CAg detection in prepatent period. We examined 8 dogs experimentally infected with Echinococcus granulosus and 403 rural dogs in an endemic area in Neuquén using CAg ELISA test and arecoline purgation. Within the experimental dog group, sensitivity and specificity of the test were 93.6% and 88.5% respectively. In rural dogs group, the overall prevalence of canine echinococcosis was 3.7% using arecoline purgation and 12.4% by the CAg test; sensitivity and specificity of the test using arecoline purge as standard were 73.3% and 89.9% respectively. Possible cross reactions in CAg test were evaluated in rural dogs: CAg was undetectable in 96.4% of the dogs infected only with taeniids nonE. granulosus, and in 90.1% of dogs infected with non-taeniid helminths. The CAg test could detect infections within prepatent period and produced negative results after worm expulsion. Our test showed adequate diagnostic performance with experimentally and naturally infected dogs, in the epidemiological situation of Neuquén. Employment of this sensitive and practical method for surveillance in the control programme in Neuquén would improve screening of canine echinococcosis by detecting infected dogs even with low burdens or within prepatent period.

Zusammenfassung. Die durch Metazestoden (Finnen, Larven) von Echinococcus granulosus hervorgerufene zystische Echinokokkose ist weltweit verbreitet und gehört zu gefährlichsten Wurmkrankheiten des Menschen. Hunde und andere Kaniden stellen die Endwirte dieses Parasiten dar, in deren Dünndarm der adulte, etwa 3 mm lange Bandwurm lebt. Das letzte, infektionstüchtige Eier enthaltende Glied wird vom Bandwurm abgeschnürt und gelangt in die Umwelt, wo es von Zwischenwirten (z.B. Schafen, Schweinen, Rindern) gefressen werden kann; in den Zwischenwirten entwickelt sich aus dem Ei ein Metazestode, der in verschiedenen inneren Organen lokalisiert sein kann. Der Mensch erwirbt die Infektion durch orale Aufnahme von mit Echino coccus-Eiern kontaminiertem Wasser, verschmutzten Vegetabilien oder über kontaminierte Hände. Im Menschen sind die Finnen meist in der Leber, der Lunge, in der Milz oder im Herzen, sehr selten auch in anderen Organen lokalisiert.

The genetic diversity and population genetics of the Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto complex were investigated based on sequencing of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Total 81 isolates of hydatid cyst collected from ungulate animals from different geographical areas of North India were identified by sequencing of cytochrome c oxidase subunit1 (coxi) gene. Three genotypes belonging to E. granulosus sensu stricto complex were identified (G1, G2 and G3 genotypes). Further the nucleotide sequences (retrieved from GenBank) for the coxi gene from seven populations of E. granulosus sensu stricto complex covering 6 continents, were compared with sequences of isolates analysed in this study. Molecular diversity indices represent overall high mitochondrial DNA diversity for these populations, but low nucleotide diversity between haplotypes. The neutrality tests were used to analyze signatures of historical demographic events. The Tajima’s D test and Fu’s FS test showed negative value, indicat...

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus infections in domestic dogs and cats from Germany and other European countries. Faecal samples of 21,588 dogs and 10,650 cats routinely submitted to a private veterinary laboratory between June 2004 and June 2005 were examined using the ZnSO4–NaCl flotation method. Taeniid eggs were detected in

We genetically classified Echinococcus granulosus from humans, cattle and camels in Libya utilizing DNA regions (designated pcox1 and pnad1) within the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase 1 (nad1) mitochondrial genes, respectively. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of pcox1 and pnad1 amplicons derived from genomic DNA samples from individual cysts (n ¼ 176) revealed four distinct electrophoretic profiles for each locus. Direct sequencing of selected amplicons representing each of these profiles defined four different sequence types for each locus, which were present in five different combinations (designated haplotypes AeE) amongst all 176 isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated sequence data for these five haplotypes, together with a range of well-defined reference sequences, inferred that all cyst isolates from humans (n ¼ 55) and a small number from cattle (13% of 38) belonged to the G1eG3 complex of E. granulosus (or E. granulosus sensu stricto), whereas most (87%) cysts from cattle and all 83 of them from camels were linked to the G6eG10 complex (or Echinococcus canadensis). The present study provides a foundation for future large-scale studies of the epidemiology and ecology of E. granulosus in Libya and other African countries.

One of the main indicators for epizootic process is economic damage caused by infectious diseases in livestock.
The scope of the paper is to determine the economic damage from echinococcosis in livestock (cattle, sheep and horses) in the Russian Federation in modern conditions per one head.
Keywords: echinococcosis, economic damage, economic losses, livestock, risk-assestment.

Background: Taenia pisiformis is one of the most common intestinal tapeworms and can cause infections in canines. Adult T. pisiformis (canines as definitive hosts) and Cysticercus pisiformis (rabbits as intermediate hosts) cause significant health problems to the host and considerable socio-economic losses as a consequence. No complete genomic data regarding T. pisiformis are currently available in public databases. RNA-seq provides an effective approach to analyze the eukaryotic transcriptome to generate large functional gene datasets that can be used for further studies.

The objectives of this epidemiological study on cystic echinococcosis (CE) in Morocco (2001-2004) were to update the prevalence of CE in different animal species living in the most important areas of the country and to collect protoscoleces and germinal layers for genetic research purposes. The post mortem inspection concerned 2948 sheep, 2337 goats, 618 cattle, 482 camels and 455 equines (325 horses, 60 mules and 70 donkeys) in five different regions: the Rif (Mediterranean coast and high mountains of the Rif), the Loukkos (Atlantic northwest plain), the center (Rabat and Casablanca regions), the Middle Atlas mountains and the south (arid and semi desert areas). The global CE infection prevalence rates obtained were 22.98% in cattle, 10.58% in sheep, 12.03% in camels, 17.80% in equines and 1.88% in goats. The infection rates were especially high in the Middle Atlas in cattle (48.72%) and in the Loukkos in cattle and sheep (37.61 and 31.65%, respectively). The majority of infected c...

This review aims to summarise some of the recent studies that have been undertaken on parasites of the genus Echinococcus and the diseases which they cause. Although the adult parasite, which inhabits the intestine of various carnivore species is not pathogenic, the larval or metacestode stages can be highly pathogenic, causing economic losses to livestock and various forms of echinococcosis in humans, some of which have a high fatality rate. There is growing evidence that there are at least 5 species of Echinococcus rather than the generally accepted 4 species. Within these species there are a number of genotypes or strains. This can have implications for surveillance and control. In some wealthy countries, cystic echinococcosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus has been successfully controlled or indeed eradicated. However, in most parts of the world it remains a serious threat to human health. In the former Soviet Union, the disease has rapidly increased in incidence after the end of communist administration. Human alveolar echinococcosis, caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, is more sporadic. However, in some Chinese communities there is a disturbingly high human prevalence and in Europe there has been an increase in the detection rate of E. multilocularis in animals in the last 10 years. Echinococcosis can present diagnostic challenges, particularly in the definitive host in areas of low endemicity. Much of the recent work relating to the use of coproantigen and PCR to overcome these difficulties is summarized. New ideas for controlling the parasite are becoming available and these include both the use of vaccination and the application of mathematical models to determine the most cost effective means of control. Effective measures that are affordable are vital if the parasite is to be controlled in poor countries.

This paper is based on the experience of the authors, with the aim to define the challenges for Echinococcus granulosus (E.g./CE) diagnosis and control for those countries that may now or in the future be contemplating control of hydatid disease. A variety of methods are available for diagnosis in humans but a universal gold standard is lacking. Diagnosis in definitive hosts can avoid necropsy by the use of methods such as coproantigen detection but test performance is variable between populations. A sylvatic cycle adds challenges in some countries and the epidemiology of the parasite in these hosts is poorly understood. Control by solely administering praziquantel to dogs is not effective in developing countries where the disease is endemic. Additional avenues to pursue include the instigation of participatory planning, use of an existing vaccination for intermediate hosts and development of a vaccine and long-acting anthelmitic implants for definitive hosts. Promoting public acceptance of control of the dog population by humane euthanasia and reduced reproduction is also essential.

The objective of this work was the rapid and easy differential diagnosis of Taenia saginata and T. solium. First, a T. saginata size-selected genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (gDNA) library was constructed in the vector hgtl0 using the 2-4 kb fraction from the parasite DNA digested with EcoRl, under 'star' conditions.

Echinococcosis, caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, is an endemic zoonosis in which humans act as accidental intermediate hosts. Orbital hydatid cysts comprise 1% to 2% of all hydatid lesions. We describe a 10-year-old boy with an orbital hydatid cyst. The orbital cyst was removed totally by frontal craniotomy and orbitotomy. It should be noted that unilateral painless proptosis in patients from countries endemic for echinococcosis could be caused by an orbital hydatid cyst.

Echinococcosis/hydatidosis is one of the most important parasitic zoonotic diseases in the world. Both cystic hydatidosis (CE) caused by Echinococcus granulosus and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by E. multilocularis have been reported in several countries of the Mediterranean region (MR). E. granulosus has always been present in the MR and is the most common species. This parasite depends on the dog-sheep cycle and is actively transmitted in all pastoral regions where sheep, cattle and camelids predominate. E. multilocularis occurs only sporadically in limited areas of France, Serbia and Montenegro, Turkey, Tunisia and Morocco. However recent evidence indicates that it is spreading into other regions of the Mediterranean. Due to the lack of well-documented data, and to the fact that CE is not a notifiable disease in the majority of M countries, the precise incidence and prevalence of CE in humans and animals are not known. Published data suggests that prevalence is rather high in North Africa, Turkey, Greece, and in several regions of Italy and Spain. CE is an increasing public health and socio-economic concern due to the considerable morbidity rates that give rise to high economic losses both in the public health sector and in the livestock industry. Hospitalisation for human CE lasts from 2 weeks to more than 1 month in case of surgery. A number of factors contribute to the increase of prevalence and to the spreading of CE in the MR. These include the diversity of livestock production systems (predominantly extensive, traditional animal husbandry), small, illequipped and unsupervised slaughter-houses, illegal and family slaughtering, low public awareness of hydatid diseases, and the high population of stray dogs. Cyprus is the only country where an eradication programme has been successfully implemented. There have been, however, important developments in the last decade in CE epidemiology, in the diagnosis of canine infection, in strain characterisation and in immune strategies against CE in animals. This scientific progress, together with effective health education programmes, will likely improve control programmes and reduce the time required to achieve significant decreases in prevalence or eradication.

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus. Hydatid cysts can rupture either spontaneously or following trauma. Ruptured hydatid cyst of the liver is an infrequent clinic entity. Ultrasonography and computerized tomography are the main diagnostic tools, with 85% and 100% sensitivity, respectively. Treatment with surgery is mandatory. We report a case of spontaneous rupture of hydatid cyst of the liver in a 5-year-old boy who presented to the emergency department with a history of abdominal pain. The germinative membrane was removed from the cyst pouch, and the peritoneal cavity was lavaged with hypertonic saline solution, followed by omentoplasty. Albendazole was administered for three months postoperatively. The recovery course was uneventful. In endemic regions, ruptured hydatid cyst of the liver should be included in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain.

Brain involvement with hydatid disease occurs in 1-2% of all Echinococcus granulosus infections. Cerebral hydatid cysts are usually supratentorial, whereas infratentorial lesions are quite rare. Here we report a 19-year-old man with hydatid cysts in the right cerebellopontine cistern with the involvement of internal acoustic canal and jugular foramen. The patient presented with signs of increased intracranial pressure and multiple cranial nerve palsies. Surgery was performed in the semi-sitting position using a lateral suboccipital approach for a right-sided craniotomy.

The detection of Echinococcus granulosus in dogs is important for epidemiological surveillance and evaluation of cystic hydatic disease control programs. We report the efficacy of two PCR-based methods to detect patent and pre-patent infection in dogs experimentally infected with E. granulosus. The detection is based on amplification of a fragment of a mitochondrial gene (Mit-PCR) and a DNA repetitive element (Rep-PCR) of E. granulosus. We tested the ability of both methods to detect several genotypes of the parasite. Both PCR methods could detect E. granulosus in pre-patent and patent periods, even when microscopical observation of eggs resulted negative in fecal samples. The Mit-PCR produced the same amplification pattern for all the parasite genotypes tested while the amplification patterns with the Rep-PCR differed among groups of strains. Fecal samples collected from dogs of an endemic area were diagnosed with more sensitivity than arecoline hydrobromide purgation. These molecular methods could be applied in the confirmation of coproantigen-positive fecal samples and to verify the success of control programs.

Conclusion: Hydatid cyst should be suspected amongst the causes of Budd-Chiari syndrome in countries where the disease is endemic. Conversely, this vascular complication should be looked for routinely in patients with hydatid disease of the liver. To cite this journal: J. Afr. Hépatol. Gastroentérol. 5 (2011).

Cystic hydatid disease (CHD) is caused by the larval stages of the cestode and affects humans and domestic animals worldwide. Protoscoleces (PSCs) are one component of the larval stages that can interact with both definitive and intermediate hosts. Previous genomic and transcriptomic data have provided an overall snapshot of the genomics of the growth and development of this parasite. However, our understanding of how PSCs subvert the immune response of hosts and maintains metabolic adaptation remains unclear. In this study, we used Roche 454 sequencing technology and in silico secretome analysis to explore the transcriptome profiles of the PSCs from E. granulosus and elucidate the potential functions of the excretory-secretory proteins (ESPs) released by the parasite. A large number of nonredundant sequences as unigenes were generated (26,514), of which 22,910 (86.4%) were mapped to the newly published E. granulosus genome and 17,705 (66.8%) were distributed within the coding seque...

A 56-year-old man was admitted with chest pain and dyspnea. Echocardiographic evaluation revealed a giant cystic cardiac mass with multiple loculations at interventricular septum extended to inferoposterior region protruding inside the cavity. The patient refused surgical therapy. His complaints persisted without significant changes after 5 months. Second echocardiographic evaluation revealed conjugation of previous multiple cyst to gigantic intramyocardial cyst and minimal pericardial effusion. We intend to illustrate herein an unusual echocardiographic appearance and progress of an untreated massive "cardiac echinococcosis." If cardiac hydatid cyst is left untreated it may transform to large cavity with a high risk of rupture.

ÖZET Akciğer hidatik kistleri çoğunlukla tek bir lezyon olarak, daha az oranda multipl olarak izlenebilir. Hidatik kist radyolojik olarak homojen bir opasite görünümü verdiğinden maligniteler başta olmak üzere nodüler lezyonlardan ayırımında zorluklar yaşanabilir. Sağ göğüs ağrısı ile başvuran 22 yaşında erkek hastanın akciğer grafisinde bilateral pulmoner nodüller tespit edildi. Hastanın bilgisayarlı tomografi (BT) incelemesinde sağ akciğerde 34 adet nodüler dansite, sol akciğerde ise 21 adet nodüler dansite izlendi. Bu haliyle lezyonlar ilk önce metastatik akciğer hastalığını düşündürdü. Yapılan tru-cut akciğer biyopsisi nondiagnostik olarak rapor edildi. Anti-E. granulosus IgG (ELISA) pozitif çıkması üzerine hastaya hidatik kist hastalığı (HKH) ön tanısı konuldu. Sağ torakotomi yapılan hastada BT'de izlenenden çok daha fazla sayıda kistin bulunduğu görüldü. Postoperatif 800 mg/gün albendazol tedavisi başlandı. Medikal tedavinin ikinci ayında çekilen BT'de lezyonların sayı olarak sebat ettiği ancak boyut olarak gerilediği görüldü. Postoperatif dördüncü ayda çekilen kontrol BT'de lezyonların bir kısmının kaviter görünüm aldığı tespit edildi. Şüpheli radyolojik bulgular tespit edilen hastalarda ayırıcı tanı açısından HKH akılda bulundurulmalıdır. HKH için asıl tedavi yöntemi cerrahi olmasına karşın, kistlerin tamamının cerrahi tedavi ile çıkartılamadığı multipl kistlerin bulunduğu hastalarda medikal tedavi uygulanabilir.

Calcification, or mineralisation, can occur as part of a natural process, or by pathological processes. The purpose of this work is to examine an unidentified semi-spherical and perforate hollow mass, found near the pelvis of an adult female, dated 12th-13th century AD, exhumed of the Church of Santo Domingo de Silos (Prádena del Ricón, Madrid, Spain). The mass was examined by SEM and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy. These procedures revealed a heterogeneous inner surface with both smooth and irregular areas. A larger spherical and several smaller crescent-shaped perforations were noticed. X-ray microanalysis revealed the presence of the elements C, K, P, Ca, Al, Si, Fe, and Mg. The co-localisation of Ca and P suggests that they may be combined in a mineral matrix, likely formed in vivo. Other minerals probably came from the soil, although Fe could be related to the presence of blood. The macroscopic and microscopic appearances, chemical composition, and location of the calcifi...

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, there was an increase in the numbers of cases of human echinococcosis recorded throughout central Asia. Between 1991 and 2001 incidence rates of cystic echinococcosis (CE) increased by 4 fold or more. There also appeared to be increases in prevalence of CE in livestock and prevalences of Echinococcus granulosus reported in dogs. The increase in human echinococcosis was associated with changes in livestock husbandry, decline in veterinary public health services, increases in dog populations and increased poverty all of which served to promote transmission of E. granulosus. A few years after reports of increased transmission of E. granulosus, the first reports of E. multilocularis infection in dogs were recorded. Further studies indicated that in both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan prevalences of up to 18% were present. Recently there has been a dramatic increase in the number of cases of human alveolar echinococcosis recorded in Kyrgyzstan with over 60 cases reported in 2011.

Echinococcus granulosus, which causes cystic echinococcosis, is an uncommon condition in the United States. We report a case of a 78-year-old Caucasian female who presented to her primary care physician in 1999 with right upper quadrant pain. She had a history of frequent foreign travel. Abdominal imaging demonstrated a 12.5-cm hepatic cyst. The cyst was drained and the pathology report on the fluid indicated no bacterial, parasitic, or malignant etiology. Serology tests for Entamoeba and Echinococcus antibodies were negative. The patient underwent multiple hepatic cyst aspirations until 2008 for recurring symptoms. In 2008, abdominal imaging demonstrated solid internal components within the cyst. Repeat Echinococcus antibodies ordered were abnormally elevated. Cyst aspiration demonstrated Echinococcus protoscolex. We report this case to discuss the diagnosis and management of hydatid cyst and to emphasize that with increasing globalization, physicians must maintain a high index of clinical suspicion for parasitic etiologies in patients with hepatic cysts.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the antibody response against excretory-secretory antigens (ES-Ag) from Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces, using sera from dogs infected with E. granulosus and other helminths. ES-Ag were obtained from the first 50 h maintenance of protoscoleces in vitro. Immunochemical characterization was performed by immunoblotting with sera from dogs naturally infected with E. granulosus (n = 12), sera from dogs infected with helminths other than E. granulosus (n = 30), and helminth-free dog sera (n = 20). These findings were compared to those obtained from a somatic extract of protoscoleces (S-Ag). ES-Ag only showed four cross-reacting proteins of 65, 61, 54, and 45-46 kDa. Antigens with apparent masses of 89 and 50 kDa in ES-Ag and of 130 and 67 kDa in S-Ag were identified by sera of dogs infected with E. granulosus only, whereas a protein of 41-43 kDa was recognised by the majority of the sera from dogs with non-echinococcal infection. Employing ELISA to study the same sera, S-Ag revealed higher immunoreactivity than ES-Ag, but also showed higher cross-reactivity levels when sera from dogs with non-echinococcal infection were assayed in immunoblotting.

This study explores the immune response generated in BALB/c mice that were genetically immunized with the second subunit of antigen B of Echinococcus granulosus (EgAgB8/2). In addition, immunomodulation by codelivery of IL-4 and IFN-γ cytokine genes was assessed. Following cloning of EgAgB8/2 gene to a pDRIVE-meIF4A1 expression vector, successful gene expression was proved in vivo and in vitro by RT-PCR and polyclonal antibody response. The generated antigen specific IgG of gene immunization reacted with the 8 and 36 kDa fractions of crude sheep hydatid fluid; while the native antigen immunization resulted in antibody production reactive to the 8, 16, 24, and 36 kDa fractions. Spleen cells of mice immunized with EgAgB8/2 gene (using gene gun) or intradermally with native AgB (nAgB) secreted moderate levels of IL-4 but not IFN-γ. Coimmunization with EgAgB8/2 and IL-4 gene elevated the relative expression of both cytokines, while coimmunization with IFN-γ gene elevated significantly the expression of this cytokine gene only. While, no IgG1 response was detected in mice immunized with EgAgB8/2 gene, those immunized with nAgB showed a significant IgG1 response. However, neither source alone induced IgG2a response. Immunization with EgAgB8/2 gene induced about four times higher IgG3 antibody titers than that induced by nAgB. Coimmunization with IL-4 or IFN-γ genes reduced or abolished the IgG3 levels, respectively. In contrast, such treatments elevated markedly IgG1 and IgG2a with a significantly higher IgG1 level in IL-4 gene treated mice. On the cellular level, IFN-γ gene coimmunization induced the highest spleen cell proliferation. Both cytokine genes restored the reduced levels of splenic CD8 cells in gene immunized animals to control levels. In conclusion, the expression of EgAgB8/2 gene in mice induced a Th2 type response characterized by splenocyte IL-4 gene expression associated with high IgG3 response. Co-immunization with cytokine genes elevated IgG1 and IgG2a levels but lowered IgG3 titer.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) is one of the most important zoonotic parasitic diseases worldwide and 10 genotypes (G1-G10) have been reported. In China, almost all the epidemiological and genotyping studies of E. granulosus s.l. are from the west and northwest pasturing areas. However, in Heilongjiang Province of northeastern China, no molecular information is available on E. granulosus s.l. To understand and to speculate on possible transmission patterns of E. granulosus s.l., we molecularly identified and genotyped 10 hydatid cysts from hepatic CE patients in Heilongjiang Province based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1), cytochrome b (cytb) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) genes. Two genotypes were identified, G1 genotype (n = 6) and G7 genotype (n = 4). All the six G1 genotype isolates were identical to each other at the cox1 locus; three and two different sequences were obtained at t...

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by infection with Echinococcus granulosus is of major concern for humans in many parts of the world. Antigen B was prepared from E. granulosus hydatid fluid, and Western blots confirmed eight batches showing a band corresponding to the 8-/12-kDa subunit with positive serum and no lowmolecular mass band ( 15 kDa) with negative serum. The batches were pooled and used to prepare lateral flow immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) and IgG dipsticks. Diagnostic sensitivity was determined using serum samples from 21 hydatidosis patients, and diagnostic specificity was established using sera from 17 individuals infected with other parasites and 15 healthy people. IgG4 dipstick had a diagnostic sensitivity of 95% (20 of 21) and a specificity of 100% (32 of 32). The IgG dipstick had a sensitivity of 100% (21 of 21) and a specificity of 87.5% (28 of 32). Thus, both IgG and IgG4 dipsticks had high sensitivities, but IgG4 had greater specificity for the diagnosis of human CE.

Dogs are pivotal in Echinococcus granulosus transmission to humans, and dog vaccination provides a very practical and cost-effective prevention strategy. We vaccinated dogs with soluble native proteins isolated from protoscoleces of E. granulosus and induced significan suppression of worm growth and egg production. Accordingly, we tested for vaccine efficac using recombinant proteins derived from a developmentally regulated gene family (egM) specificall expressed in mature adult E. granulosus worms. Three egM genes-egM4, egM9, and egM123-were subcloned into an expression vector that expressed the molecules as soluble glutathione