Molecular Sequencing Analysis of Fasciola Spp. in Sheep
Molecular Sequencing Analysis of Fasciola Spp. in Sheep
Israa M. Essa*, Ghazi Y. Azzal, Alaa Tariq Abdulwahid
ABSTRACT
This study aims to investigate the prevalence rate of Fasciola in livers of 361 slaughtered sheep at Basra province (Iraq) with molecular testing and phylogenetic analysis of obtained flukes in the National Center For Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The findings showed that 8.03% of livers were infected with Fasciola spp., in which, juvenile flukes were observed significantly (79.31%) when compared to adults (20.69%). Based on morphology, all adult flukes were diagnosed as Fasciola. Accordingly, positive rate, risk and Odd ratio of fasciolosis were reported significantly in sheep of larger than 3 years than those of larger than 2-3 years, 1-2 years and sheep of less than 1 year. Concerning sex, no variation was detected between female (9.02%) and male (5.26%) sheep; however, females were appeared at higher risk of infection males. Molecular examination using the PCR assay demonstrated that 93.1% of samples were Fasciola; whereas, phylogenetic analysis of five isolates indicated its identity to Saudi Arabian (MN559388.1) F. hepatica isolate. In conclusion, Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of ovine liver flukes indicated worthily that F. hepatica was the more prevalent Fasciola species in sheep of Basra province. In addition, our results provided an initial basic data for monitoring this potentially important parasite in field. However, the main limitations of the present study include the low number of examined animals, short period of study, and disapproving of some owners to examine their slaughtered animals. Therefore, it is necessary to develop the suitable parasite control measures (e.g. controlling the snails, judicious annual using of flukecide, frequent examination of fecal samples of field animals, and destroying of infected livers) and evaluation the local epidemiology of fasciolosis. Also, wider surveys including different areas and animals with using the advanced diagnostic assay in combination with morphology should be conducted.
Keywords | Fasciolosis, Ovine liver fluke, Conventional PCR, Phylogeny, Fasciola hepatica, Iraq
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