The cestode <i>Taenia hydatigena</i> uses canids, primarily dogs, as definitive hosts, while the metacestode larval stage cysticercus infects a range of intermediate hosts, including domestic animals such as goats, sheep, and pigs. Cysticercosis due to <i>T. hydatigena</i> has large veterinary and economic drawbacks. Like other taeniids, e.g., <i>Echinococcus</i>, intraspecific variation is found among the members of the genus Taenia. In Africa, few studies are available on the epidemiology and distribution of <i>T. hydatigena</i>, and even fewer studies are available on its genetic variation. In this study, we molecularly identified 11 cysticerci from sheep in Sudan and demonstrated the genetic variation based on the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (<i>nad</i>1) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (<i>cox</i>1) mitochondrial genes. The isolates were correctly identified as <i>T. hydatigena</i> with more than 99% similarity to those in the GenBank database. Low diversity indices and insignificant neutrality indices were observed, with 3 and 2 haplotypes for the <i>nad</i>1 and <i>cox</i>1 genes, respectively. The results suggest the presence of unique <i>T. hydatigena</i> haplotypes in Sudan, as haplotypes with 100% similarity were not found in the GenBank database. With few available studies on the genetic variation of <i>T. hydatigena</i> in Africa, this report represents the first insights into the genetic variation of <i>T. hydatigena</i> in Sudan and constitutes useful data.
First molecular description, phylogeny and genetic variation of Taenia hydatigena from Nigerian sheep and goats based on three mitochondrial genes
