Prevalence, Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Fasciola spp. Based on ITS2 Gene Sequence from Slaughtered Animals in Abattoirs and its public Health in Qualyobia Province, Egypt
Prevalence, Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Fasciola spp. Based on ITS2 Gene Sequence from Slaughtered Animals in Abattoirs and its public Health in Qualyobia Province, Egypt
Lobna M.A. Salem, Nashwa O. Khalifa, Marwa O. Abd El-Halim*
ABSTRACT
Fascioliasis is a serious disease of sheep and cattle worldwide. Fasciola species parasitize a variety of mammals, caused by Fasciola hepatica, and Fasciola gigantica. Traditional morphological techniques to differentiate the two species can be inaccurate, especially when hybrid forms are present. The definitive identification of Fasciola species, including their hybrids, has been made possible by advanced molecular techniques. Our study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Fascioliasis and identify the phenotypic features of Fasciola that infecting sheep, cattle, buffaloes, goats, and camels in Qualyobia, Egypt. The genetic identity of Fasciola species was examined by the analysis of forward and reverse sequences of the ITS2 of the rDNA gene that amplified in 300bp. Out of 286 slaughtered animals {88 sheep, 26 goats, 68 cattle, 25 buffaloes and 79 camels} in the regions of Qualyobia, 51 (17.8%) had Fasciola spp. morphologically {27/51(52.9%) were identical to F. hepatica while 18/51(35.3%) were identical to F. gigantica, 3/51(3.9%) were larval stages and 3/51(3.9%) mixed infections}. DNA from 10 flukes extracted, amplified, and analyzed to identify species using the ITS2 locus. Ten flukes were identified as F. gigantica and F. hepatica. PCR products from 2 flukes were sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. The sequence of ITS2 gene isolates obtained from the present investigation were compared with GenBank reference sequences of F. hepatica, F. gigantica. The phylogeny based on ITS2 revealed two distinct clades separating F. hepatica from F. gigantica with snaps and indel in one isolate. So concluded that safety measures should be done because the disease has zoonotic effect on public health. The prevalence of Fascioliasis was high in Qualyobia, Egypt, a lot of liver was condemned, which resulted in financial losses for affected farmers. In order to control the disease and raise farmer awareness, it is vital to implement the appropriate preventive measures.
Keywords | Fasciola species, Prevalence, Phylogenetic analysis, ITS2 gene, Public health.
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