Genetic and morphological variation of Coenurus cerebralis isolated from sheep in different regions of Iran.

Coenurus cerebralis consists of several protoscolices and it contains a transparent cyst wall. Domestic and wild canids constitute the predators, while a wide range of herbivores are the prey hosts. The study aims to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships and nucleotide diversity using partial sequences of the ND1 gene in different regions of Iran. Samples were gathered from areas with various climatic locations in Iran. Sheep were slaughtered and their brain was used at abattoir and were palpated and incised to check for the presence of C.cerebralis cysts. With immediate DNA extraction, a PCR test for the ND1 gene using specific primers was done. Subsequently, the total diameter of the cyst lies within 0.5 to 5 cm, and the amount of protoscolices in the cyst lies within 50-350 protoscolex, the average length of large and small hooks was 195 and 93 μm respectively. Sequencing results of Iranian Taenia multiceps isolates from sheep's brain coenurus cyst in this study showed no differences in partial NADH gene among the Iranian isolates and had high similarity with the sequences of T. multiceps isolates from Turkey, Italy, Greece, Egypt, and Australia. Based on molecular alignment and phylogenetic analysis, the close relationship between Iranian isolates from the same hosts as Turkey and China was correlated to the same geographical conditions and high rate of trade between countries. These results gave important information for further studies of molecular epidemiology and control of C. cerebralis infestation to the public, medical associations, entomologists, and pest control operators in Iran.