CHARACTERIZATION OF TAENIID CESTODE SPECIES BY PCR-RFLP OF ITS2 RIBOSOMAL DNA

Seven species of taeniid cestode (Echinococcus granulosus, E. multiloc ularis, Taenia hydatigena, T. ovis, T. pisiformis, T. multiceps and T. serialis) were characterised using a polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism technique (PCR-RFLP). The sec ond internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA (ITS2) was amplified from various geographical isolates of each of the seven species, diges ted separately with four restriction endonucleases and the fragments w ere separated by conventional agarose gel electrophoresis. PCR-RFLP pr oduced characteristic patterns for each taeniid species examined. No v ariation in RFLP patterns was observed among different isolates of E. multilocularis and the species of Taenia, but distinct intraspecific v ariation was detected in E. granulosus. The present study indicates th e usefulness of the PCR-RFLP of ITS2 for systematic, epidemiological a nd diagnostic purposes.