Abstract

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease caused by a complex of species known asEchinococcus granulosus sensu lato. CE is endemic in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay and the South part of Brazil. In contrast, little is known regarding the presence of CE in Bolivia. In this study, 35 cysts isolated from livestock (mostly from the Department of La Paz) and 3 from humans (La Paz, Oruro and Potosi) were genetically characterized analysing the sequence of thecox1gene (1609 bp). In total, 30 cysts (from La Paz, Cochabamba and Beni) were characterized asE. granulosus sensu stricto(3 fertile and 4 non-fertile cysts from sheep, 8 fertile and 12 non-fertile cysts from cattle and 3 fertile cysts from humans). A detailed analysis of the cox1 haplotypes ofE.granulosus s.s. is included.Echinococcus ortleppi(G5) was found in 5 fertile cysts from cattle (from La Paz and Cochabamba).Echinococcus intermedius(G7) was identified in 3 fertile cysts from pigs (from Santa Cruz). Additionally,E. granulosus s.s.was detected in 4 dog faecal samples, whileE. ortleppiwas present in other two dog faecal samples. The implications of these preliminary results in the future implementation of control measures are discussed.