New approach to molecular characterization of Paramphistomum cervi and Carmyerius gregarius and comparative analyses with selected trematodes

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in cattle in Kalasin Province, Thailand

Background and Aim

Parasitic infections are one of the major problems to the production of cattle in Thailand. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites of cattle in Kalasin Province, Thailand.

Materials and Methods

A total of 333 fecal samples of cattle were collected directly from the rectum. The fecal samples were subjected to formalin-ethyl acetate concentration methods for examination. The eggs or oocysts were identified based on the morphology and size of the eggs or oocysts.

Results

Out of 333 fecal samples examined, 320 were found positive for GI parasitic infections with a prevalence of 96.09%. Overall, among the prevalence of nematodes, trematodes, and protozoa, the most prevalent parasites were Strongyle-type 278 (84.24%), followed by Strongyloides spp. 54 (16.36%) and Trichuris spp. 75 (22.73%), while Protozoan oocyst recorded Eimeria spp. amounted to 131 (39.7%). Fasciola spp. and Paramphistomum spp. were 67 (20.30%) and 81 (24.55%), respectively. Most of the positive fecal samples were infected with the double infection which has the highest prevalence rate of about 40.24%, followed by single, three, and 4-5 types of parasites 30.63, 16.82, and 7.21%, respectively.

Conclusion

This study suggests that Kalasin Province is highly endemic for GI parasites and this area may be an important source for an outbreak. Therefore, every household should deworm its cattle and eliminate and control snails as intermediate hosts. Findings from this study provide information that will assist in improving the cattle in Kalasin Province for better production and higher profitability.

First genetic evidence for the presence of the rumen fluke Paramphistomum epiclitum in Pakistan

More than 70 species of the Superfamily Paramphistomoidea, have been identified in ruminants in different parts of the world. Most are pathogenic, causing amphistomosis. Adult flukes within this family have a predilection for the forestomach (rumen) or bile duct of the liver, where they may cause epithelial damage. Identification of adult Paramphistomum, Calicophoron, Gastrothylax and Fischoederius at the species level based on morphology requires specialised expertise, whereas molecular genetic marker analysis is more precise and transferable. In the present study, we performed molecular characterisation of twenty seven adult flukes collected from the forestomachs of buffalo, cattle and goats in the Punjab province of Pakistan. PCR and sequencing of the ITS-2 rDNA region revealed a single haplotype in all cases. Phylogenetic comparison of P. epiclitum ITS2-rDNA sequences with those from other Paramphistomum, Calicophoron, Gastrothylax and Fischoederius species was performed to assess within and between species variation and validate the use of ITS-2 rDNA as a robust species-specific marker for P. epiclitum identification. This work provides a validated species-specific marker of P. epiclitum and the first report of this parasite species from Pakistan. The results of this study also have implications for the diagnosis and control of rumen flukes in the region and the need for accurate species identification to understand parasite distribution and population genetics.

Molecular characterization of the unique Mesostephanus appendiculatus (Trematoda: Cyathocotylidae) by small ribosomal RNA from Egypt

M esostephanus appendiculatus (Family: Cyathocotylidae) is one of the unique trematodes that complete their cycles in human and animal intestines in many countries of the world. The main source of its transmission is eating raw or undercooked infected fish muscle. Earliest analyses of genes to different parasites supported the analysis of helminthes either biological or morphological. This paper detected M. appendiculatus sequence with GenBank accession number gb (KY026782). Comparison of M. appendiculatus with other helminthes using BioEdit 7 and MEGA7 program shows some similarity in different points along its sequence. The phylogenetic analysis clarifies that it was closely related to both trematodes (Clinostomum complanatum and Echinochasmus japonicus) and some cestodes of fish origin such as Polyonchobothrium polypteri, Bothriocephalus sp., and Haplobothrium globuliforme. The obtained results provide a good source for genome analysis of M. appendiculatus in relation to other Platyhelminthes.