Barw Barw Medical Journal 2960-1959 2025 08 20 Echinococcus granulosus in Environmental Samples: A Cross-Sectional Molecular Study 9 14 10.58742/bmj.vi.200 eng Thamr O. Mohammed Molecular Department, Hiwa Cancer Hospital, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. thamr.mohammed@gmail.com Shvan L. Ezzat Biology Department, College of Science, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. shvan.ezzat@gmail.com Hawnaz S. Abdullah Biology Department, College of Science, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. hawnazsalh364@gmail.com Sangar J. Qadir Scientific Affairs Department, Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. sangar12@gmail.com Aga K. Hamad Medical Laboratory Department, University of Duhok, Duhok, Iraq. aga.hamad@gmail.com Sahar A. Faraj Biology Department, College of Science, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. sahar.faraj@gmail.com Sasan M. Ahmed Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. sasan0751@gmail.com Sarhang S. Abdalla Kscien Organization for Scientific Research, Hamdi Street, Azay Mall, Second Floor, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. sarhang.abdullah@gmail.com Meer M. Abdulkarim Scientific Affairs Department, Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. meermohammedabdulkarim@gmail.com Marwan N. Hassan Kscien Organization for Scientific Research, Hamdi Street, Azay Mall, Second Floor, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. marwan.nasih12@gmail.com Ayman M. Mustafa Scientific Affairs Department, Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. aymanmajid75@gmail.com Yousif M. Mahmood Scientific Affairs Department, Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. yousuf.smarthealth@gmail.com Hawkar A. Nasralla Scientific Affairs Department, Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. hawkar.arf96@gmail.com Karokh K. Mohammed Smart Health Tower (Raparin Branch), Karox Street, Ranya, Iraq. karokh.mohammed@gmail.com Rawezh Q. Salih Biology Department, College of Science, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. Rawezh.mohammed@univsul.edu.iq 2025 07 15 Introduction Echinococcosis, caused by tapeworms of the Echinococcus genus, remains a significant zoonotic disease globally. The disease is particularly prevalent in areas with extensive livestock farming. Humans primarily acquire infection through consumption of contaminated food or water, often from environmental contamination by definitive host feces. This study aimed to detect the presence of E. granulosus DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) in water and vegetable samples collected from Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Iraq. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Iraq, in April 2025. Water and vegetable samples were collected from both urban and rural areas. DNA extraction was performed from all samples, and E. granulosus DNA was explored using a qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) assay. Sample processing included filtering water, washing vegetables, and DNA extraction under optimized conditions. Results A total of 245 samples, comprising 98 (40.0%) water samples and 147 (60.0%) vegetable samples, were analyzed, with 111 (45.3%) from urban and 134 (54.7%) from rural areas. Despite the comprehensive sampling, no E. granulosus DNA was detected in any sample. All control reactions yielded positive results, but no amplification was observed in the field samples, indicating the absence of E. granulosus contamination. Conclusion This study found no evidence of E. granulosus DNA in water or vegetable samples from Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, suggesting a low likelihood of environmental contamination in this region. but seasonal changes, the restricted sample size, and methodological limitations mean that the presence of contamination cannot be completely excluded.