Vetsuisse and Medical Faculty, Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Bons Amigos Association, Praia, Cape Verde
Teivi Laurimäe
Vetsuisse and Medical Faculty, Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
Gillian Muchaamba
Vetsuisse and Medical Faculty, Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Laura Cathomas
Vetsuisse and Medical Faculty, Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Ana Lina Barros Olende
Department of Livestock Services (DSP), General Directorate of Agriculture, Forestry and Livestock (DGASP), Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAA), Praia, Cape Verde
Iolanda Mata dos Santos
Department of Livestock Services (DSP), General Directorate of Agriculture, Forestry and Livestock (DGASP), Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAA), Praia, Cape Verde
Ângela Lobo de Pina
Department of Livestock Services (DSP), General Directorate of Agriculture, Forestry and Livestock (DGASP), Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAA), Praia, Cape Verde
There are no scientific data available on the occurrence of the Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) cluster in definitive hosts (domestic dogs), intermediate hosts (domestic livestock) nor humans in Cape Verde. In this pilot study, environmental dog fecal samples (n = 369) were collected around food markets, official slaughterhouses, as well as home and small business slaughter spots in 8 of the 9 inhabited islands from the Cape Verde archipelago, between June 2021 and March 2022. Additionally, during the same period, 40 cysts and tissue lesions were opportunistically collected from 5 islands, from locally slaughtered cattle (n = 7), goats (n = 2), sheep (n = 1) and pigs (n = 26). Genetic characterization by a multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay targeting the 12S rRNA gene confirmed the presence of E. granulosus s.l. in fecal and tissue material. In total, 17 cyst samples from Santiago (n = 9), Sal (n = 7) and São Vicente (n = 1) and 8 G6/G7-positive dog fecal samples from Santiago (n = 4) and Sal (n = 4) were identified as E. granulosus s.l. G7 by sequence analysis (nad2, nad5 and nad1 genes). This study discloses the transmission of E. granulosus s.l. G7, in pig, cattle and dog in Cape Verde.
