Abstracto

Echinococcosis in south Asia; the present status.

Zulfiqar Ahmad*

Cystic Echinococcosis and Alveolar Echinococcosis, caused by Echinococcus granulosus senso strict and Echinococcus multilocularis respectively, are endemic in South Asia. Various species of this zoonotic parasite are maintained in domesticated and wild mammals through predator-prey interaction. Different approaches for diagnosis were followed for this zoonotic parasite such as CT scan, MRI, Ultrasound, X-ray and surgical operations for hydatid cyst. A limited data is available of molecular characterization such as genotyping, subtyping, population genetic, western blotting and immune-proteomics for E.granulosus senso strict. Molecular analysis is used to help differentiate infecting parasite species and genotype with a goal of better understanding the life cycle of the parasite in order to help in the planning and implementation of the control program. This review reports the present status of Echinococcosis in different countries of South Asia.