Genetic Diversity of Taenia hydatigena (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) in Small Ruminants from Algeria.

PURPOSE: Taenia hydatigena is a globally distributed cestode causing cysticercosis in livestock, particularly in small ruminants. In North Africa, data on its distribution and prevalence are scarce, with no prior studies addressing its molecular epidemiology. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of T. hydatigena in sheep and goats from Algeria. METHODS: A total of 1,002 animals (939 sheep and 63 goats) were examined for the presence of T. hydatigena cysts at the municipal slaughterhouse of Djelfa province between October 2021 and July 2022. Sixty-nine isolates were randomly selected for molecular analysis using the complete cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1; 1,620 bp). RESULTS: Taenia hydatigena cysts were identified in 17% of sheep and 32% of goats, predominantly located in the mesentery and omentum. Sixty-one isolates were genetically characterized, revealing 48 distinct haplotypes, four of which were shared between the two host species. Haplotype network analysis showed no host-specific clustering, and population genetic indices indicated no significant differentiation between the sheep and goat sub-populations of T. hydatigena. Comparative analysis with sequences from Ghana, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and China revealed a star-like haplotype network with limited genetic overlap and generally high haplotype diversity. CONCLUSION: The present study provides valuable data on the genetic diversity of T. hydatigena in North Africa. The findings underscore the need for more extensive molecular epidemiological studies to elucidate transmission dynamics and dispersal pathways.