Molecular Identification and Prevalence of Fasciola gigantica in Cattle and Buffaloes of Punjab, Pakistan
Molecular Identification and Prevalence of Fasciola gigantica in Cattle and Buffaloes of Punjab, Pakistan
Maria Komal1, Kiran Afshan1*, Hafiz Syed Zain Ul Hassan1, Salman Farsi1, Ghulam Narjis2 and Sabika Firasat1
ABSTRACT
Fasciolosis is a food- and water-borne trematodiosis caused by Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica. Hybridization between the two species has been reported in Punjab. Therefore, this study aimed at morphological and molecular characterization of Fasciola gigantica and its prevalence in cattle and buffaloes of Punjab province, Pakistan. A total of 100 fluke specimens were collected from cattle and buffaloes slaughtered at abattoirs and were classified as Fasciola spp. using morphological characters. Of these species, 62 flukes of 31 populations were identified with molecular analysis using the ITS-I marker. Copro-ELISA assay was performed to find the prevalence of fasciolosis. Morphological and molecular analysis showed that Fasciola spp. species formed a moderately supported monophyletic clade with F. gigantica. The phylogenetic analysis showed conclusive evidence for the clade containing Indian and Chinese F. gigantica. The copro-ELISA result showed that the diagnostic accuracy of the test was 89.22% with 100% sensitivity and 82% specificity. The overall prevalence of fasciolosis was 42.7%, and infection was significantly (p<0.001) higher in cattle 25.3%, as compared to 17.4% in buffaloes. The fasciolosis was significantly (p=0.02) higher in females (24.6%) compared to males (18.0%), and animals belonging to >3-6 years of age group showed the highest prevalence of 30.3% than other age groups. In conclusion, the use of morphological techniques, complemented by molecular techniques is recommended, in endemic areas where the two species are co-endemic. Furthermore, the immunodetection assays are more sensitive to find the epidemiological status of disease as compared to conventional microscopic fecal examination.
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