A new case of Echinococcus ortleppi infection diagnosed by next-generation sequencing in China

TL;DR

A rare human infection by Echinococcus ortleppi was identified in China using next-generation sequencing, highlighting a possible hidden transmission route.

Contribution

This is the third reported E. ortleppi infection case in China, identified through next-generation sequencing.

Findings

The patient was infected with Echinococcus ortleppi, a rare cause of cystic echinococcosis.

The parasite's mitochondrion sequence showed 99.92% identity to E. ortleppi from cattle in Japan.

The infection source remains unclear, suggesting a hidden transmission route in China.

Abstract

Cystic echinococcosis is an important parasitic zoonosis infecting numerous humans with high morbidity and mortality. As one of the etiologic agents, Echinococcus ortleppi infection in humans has been very rare. In this study, a 27-year-old man was diagnosed with cystic echinococcosis in Wuhan City of China, a non-endemic area. Next-generation sequencing identified that the etiologic agent was E. ortleppi. Its complete mitochondrion sequence (13,600 bp) has 99.92% identity to E. ortleppi from cattle in Japan. This is the third reported E. ortleppi infection case in China. Although extensive epidemiological investigations were performed, the infection source of this patient is still unclear. It is possible that there exists some hidden or unrecognized route of E. ortleppi transmission in China. Further investigation is needed to figure out and eliminate the risk factors.

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