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Ibrahim K, Chatanga E, Mohamed NS, Ahmed A, Alasmari S, Almathen F, Nakao R, Salim B. Intra- and interspecies variation and population dynamics of Fasciola gigantica among ruminants in Sudan. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:210. [PMID: 38743097 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08201-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Fasciola gigantica is a widespread parasite that causes neglected disease in livestock worldwide. Its high transmissibility and dispersion are attributed to its ability to infect intermediate snail hosts and adapt to various mammalian definitive hosts. This study investigated the variation and population dynamics of F. gigantica in cattle, sheep, and goats from three states in Sudan. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1) genes were sequenced successfully to examine intra and interspecific differences. ND1 exhibited higher diversity than COI, with 15 haplotypes and 10 haplotypes, respectively. Both genes had high haplotype diversity but low nucleotide diversity, with 21 and 11 polymorphic sites for ND1 and COI, respectively. Mismatch distribution analysis and neutrality tests revealed that F. gigantica from different host species was in a state of population expansion. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees and median networks revealed that F. gigantica in Sudan and other African countries had host-specific and country-specific lineages for both genes. The study also indicated that F. gigantica-infected small ruminants were evolutionarily distant, suggesting deep and historical interspecies adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal Ibrahim
- Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Elisha Chatanga
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-18, Nishi-9, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Nouh S Mohamed
- Molecular Biology Unit, Sirius Training and Research Center, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Ayman Ahmed
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Saeed Alasmari
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Najran University, Najran, 1988, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Faisal Almathen
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Animal Husbandry, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Hofuf, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Bashir Salim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Khartoum, P.O. Box 32, Khartoum North, Sudan.
- Camel Research Center, King Faisal University, Al-Hofuf, Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia.
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Alba A, Vázquez AA, Sánchez J, Gourbal B. Immunological Resistance of Pseudosuccinea columella Snails From Cuba to Fasciola hepatica (Trematoda) Infection: What We Know and Where We Go on Comparative Molecular and Mechanistic Immunobiology, Ecology and Evolution. Front Immunol 2022; 13:794186. [PMID: 35140717 PMCID: PMC8818719 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.794186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most interesting biological models is that of snail–trematode interactions, many of which ultimately result in the transmission of several important diseases, particularly in the tropics. Herein, we review the scientific advances on a trematode–snail system in which certain populations of Pseudosuccinea columella (a common host species for trematodes) have been demonstrated naturally-resistant to Fasciola hepatica, in association with an effective encapsulation of the parasite by innate immune cells of the host, the hemocytes. Emphasis is made on the molecular and immunological features characterizing each P. columella phenotype in relation to their anti-parasitic competence, their distinctive ecological patterns and the existence of a significant cost of resistance. An integrative overview of the resistance to F. hepatica through comparative immunobiology, genetics and ecology is presented to hypothesize on the possible origins and evolution of this phenomenon and to postulate significant roles for parasite mediated-selection and environmental factors in shaping and maintaining the resistant phenotype in the field. Lastly, clues into future experimental perspectives to deeply characterize the interplay between P. columella and F. hepatica and the immunobiology of the resistance are also included. The advances revised in the present paper are only beginning to unravel mechanisms of anti-parasite innate defense responses and their evolutionary bases, and can facilitate the development of prospective approaches towards practical applications of P. columella resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annia Alba
- Centro de Investigaciones, Diagnóstico y Referencia, Instituto “Pedro Kourí” de Medicina Tropical, La Habana, Cuba
- *Correspondence: Benjamin Gourbal, ; Annia Alba,
| | - Antonio A. Vázquez
- Centro de Investigaciones, Diagnóstico y Referencia, Instituto “Pedro Kourí” de Medicina Tropical, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Jorge Sánchez
- Centro de Investigaciones, Diagnóstico y Referencia, Instituto “Pedro Kourí” de Medicina Tropical, La Habana, Cuba
| | - Benjamin Gourbal
- IHPE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
- *Correspondence: Benjamin Gourbal, ; Annia Alba,
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Benovics M, Gettová L, Šimková A. De novo developed microsatellite markers in gill parasites of the genus Dactylogyrus (Monogenea): Revealing the phylogeographic pattern of population structure in the generalist parasite Dactylogyrus vistulae. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:16585-16599. [PMID: 34938459 PMCID: PMC8668815 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Approaches using microsatellite markers are considered the gold standard for modern population genetic studies. However, although they have found application in research into various platyhelminth taxa, they remained substantially underutilized in the study of monogeneans. In the present study, a newly developed set of 24 microsatellite markers was used to investigate the genetic diversity of the generalist monogenean species Dactylogyrus vistulae. The analyzed parasite specimens were collected from 13 cyprinoid species from 11 sites in the Apennine and Balkan peninsulas. A total of 159 specimens were genotyped at each of the loci and the number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 16, with a mean number of 6.958 alleles per locus. Exceptionally high genetic diversity was observed among D. vistulae individuals in the southern Balkans (mean N A per locus = 3.917), suggesting that generalist D. vistulae expanded from the south to the north in the Balkans and later into central Europe. The initial clustering analysis divided all investigated specimens into three major clusters; however, the results of the subsequent analyses revealed the existence of various subpopulations, suggesting that the population structure of D. vistulae is associated with the diversification of their cyprinoid hosts. In addition, the partition of the parasite population was observed in regions of the sympatric occurrence of two host species, indicating that these hosts may represent a barrier for gene flow, even for generalist parasite species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Benovics
- Department of Botany and Zoology Faculty of Science Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Gettová
- Department of Botany and Zoology Faculty of Science Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Šimková
- Department of Botany and Zoology Faculty of Science Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic
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Vázquez AA, Sabourin E, Alda P, Leroy C, Leray C, Carron E, Mulero S, Caty C, Hasfia S, Boisseau M, Saugné L, Pineau O, Blanchon T, Alba A, Faugère D, Vittecoq M, Hurtrez-Boussès S. Genetic diversity and relationships of the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica (Trematoda) with native and introduced definitive and intermediate hosts. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:2274-2286. [PMID: 33068493 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Fasciolosis is a worldwide spread parasitosis mainly caused by the trematode Fasciola hepatica. This disease is particularly important for public health in tropical regions, but it can also affect the economies of many developed countries due to large infections in domestic animals. Although several studies have tried to understand the transmission by studying the prevalence of different host species, only a few have used population genetic approaches to understand the links between domestic and wildlife infections. Here, we present the results of such genetic approach combined with classical parasitological data (prevalence and intensity) by studying domestic and wild definitive hosts from Camargue (southern France) where fasciolosis is considered as a problem. We found 60% of domestic hosts (cattle) infected with F. hepatica but lower values in wild hosts (nutria, 19%; wild boars, 4.5%). We explored nine variable microsatellite loci for 1,148 adult flukes recovered from four different populations (non-treated cattle, treated cattle, nutria and wild boars). Populations from the four groups differed, though we found a number of migrants particularly non-treated cattle and nutria. Overall, we detected 729 different multilocus genotypes (from 783 completely genotyped individuals) and only 46 genotypes repeated across samples. Finally, we experimentally infected native and introduced intermediate snail hosts to explore their compatibility with F. hepatica and assess the risks of fasciolosis expansion in the region. The introduced species Galba truncatula and Pseudosuccinea columella attained the higher values of overall compatibility in relation to the European species. However, concerning the origin, sympatric combinations of G. truncatula were more compatible (higher prevalence, intensity and survival) than the allopatric tested. According to our results, we should note that the assessment of epidemiological risks cannot be limited to a single host-parasite system, but should focus on understanding the diversity of hosts in the heterogeneous environment through space and time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio A Vázquez
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France.,Laboratory of Malacology, Institute of Tropical Medicine "Pedro Kourí", Havana, Cuba
| | - Emeline Sabourin
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Pilar Alda
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France.,Laboratorio de Zoología de Invertebrados I, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Clémentine Leroy
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Carole Leray
- Institut de Recherche de la Tour du Valat, Arles, France
| | - Eric Carron
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Stephen Mulero
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France.,IHPE UMR 5244, University of Perpignan, Perpignan, France
| | - Céline Caty
- Institut de Recherche de la Tour du Valat, Arles, France
| | - Sarah Hasfia
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Michel Boisseau
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Lucas Saugné
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Olivier Pineau
- Institut de Recherche de la Tour du Valat, Arles, France
| | | | - Annia Alba
- Laboratory of Malacology, Institute of Tropical Medicine "Pedro Kourí", Havana, Cuba.,University of Corse-Pascal-Paoli, Corte, France
| | | | - Marion Vittecoq
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France.,Institut de Recherche de la Tour du Valat, Arles, France
| | - Sylvie Hurtrez-Boussès
- MIVEGEC, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France.,Département de Biologie-Ecologie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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Vázquez AA, de Vargas M, Alba A, Sánchez J, Alda P, Sabourin E, Vittecoq M, Alarcón-Elbal PM, Pointier JP, Hurtrez-Boussès S. Reviewing Fasciola hepatica transmission in the West Indies and novel perceptions from experimental infections of sympatric vs. allopatric snail/fluke combinations. Vet Parasitol 2019; 275:108955. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.108955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Patterns of distribution, population genetics and ecological requirements of field-occurring resistant and susceptible Pseudosuccinea columella snails to Fasciola hepatica in Cuba. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14359. [PMID: 31591422 PMCID: PMC6779948 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50894-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudosuccinea columella snails transmit the trematode Fasciola hepatica, but in Cuba, six naturally occurring populations successfully resist parasite infection. Here, we present an updated distribution of P. columella in Cuba; 68 positive sites with the earliest records more abundant in west-central Cuba and with east-central populations generally corresponding to the newest samples. No records were found farther east. The IPA site reported 10.5% prevalence of F. hepatica-infected snails. Population genetics, studied through microsatellites, showed low allelic and multilocus genotypic richness (MLGT), mainly in susceptible populations, strong deviations from panmixia and high self-fertilization rates. Susceptible individuals were grouped in one major cluster containing the majority of MLGT, and two independent clusters grouped the MLGT of resistant individuals from western and central populations, respectively. From these, we propose that several introductions of P. columella occurred in Cuba, primarily in the west, with the early arrivals deriving on the resistant populations. A more recent introduction of susceptible P. columella carrying MLGT T and Y may have occurred, where the latter spread quickly through the island and possibly increase the risk of parasite transmission in Cuba since all snails naturally infected with F. hepatica were carriers of the MLGT Y. Interestingly, even though resistant populations are highly diverse and are likely the oldest within Cuba, they are only found in six localities characterized by soft (total hardness, TH = 6.3 ± 1.03°d) and slightly acidic (pH = 6.2 ± 0.12) waters with low richness in snail species (3.2 ± 1.02). This tendency was also observed in a two-year follow-up ecological study that was conducted on a farm where both phenotypes occurred in sympatry; colonization events by resistant over susceptible snails coincided with a reduction in the pH and TH of the water. A comparison of life traits in susceptible and resistant isolates reared at two different pH/TH conditions (5.9/4°d or 7.8/14°d) showed that low pH/TH negatively affects P. columella, irrespective of the phenotype. However, evidence of higher tolerance (higher survival, life expectancy, egg viability) to such conditions was observed in resistant isolates. Finally, we speculate that the limited distribution of resistant populations might be related to a better exploitation of sites that are less suitable to snails (thus, with lower competition), rather than to a differential ecological restriction to specific environmental conditions from susceptible P. columella.
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Alba A, Vázquez AA, Sánchez J, Duval D, Hernández HM, Sabourin E, Vittecoq M, Hurtrez-Boussés S, Gourbal B. Fasciola hepatica-Pseudosuccinea columella interaction: effect of increasing parasite doses, successive exposures and geographical origin on the infection outcome of susceptible and naturally-resistant snails from Cuba. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:559. [PMID: 30359285 PMCID: PMC6203213 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3155-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pseudosuccinea columella is one of the most widespread vectors of Fasciola hepatica, a globally distributed trematode that affects humans, livestock and wildlife. The exclusive occurrence in Cuba of susceptible and naturally-resistant populations to F. hepatica within this snail species, offers a fascinating model for evolutionary biology, health sciences and vector control strategies. In particular, resistance in P. columella is characterized by the encapsulation of the parasite by host's immune cells and has been experimentally tested using different Cuban F. hepatica isolates with no records of successful infection. Here, we aimed to explore for the first time, the effect of different parasite doses, successive exposures and different parasite origins on the infection outcomes of the two phenotypes of P. columella occurring in Cuba. METHODS To increase the chances for F. hepatica to establish, we challenged Cuban P. columella with increasing single parasite doses of 5, 15 or 30 miracidia and serial exposures (three-times) of 5 miracidia using a sympatric F. hepatica isolate from Cuba, previously characterized by microsatellite markers. Additionally, we exposed the snails to F. hepatica from different geographical origins (i.e. Dominican Republic and France). Parasite prevalence, redial burden and survival of snails were recorded at 25 days post-exposure. RESULTS No parasite development was noted in snails from the resistant populations independent of the experimental approach. Contrastingly, an overall increase in prevalence and redial burden was observed in susceptible snails when infected with high miracidia doses and after serial exposures. Significant differences in redial burden between single 15 miracidia and serial 3 × 5 miracidia infected snails suggest that immune priming potentially occurs in susceptible P. columella. Compatibility differences of allopatric (Caribbean vs European) F. hepatica with susceptible snails were related to the geographical scale of the combinations. CONCLUSIONS Here, the effectiveness of P. columella resistance to F. hepatica does not decline with increasing parasite doses, successive infection or different geographical origins of parasite isolates, while presenting new evidence for specificity for infection in susceptible P. columella snails. Understanding the peculiarities of the P. columella-F. hepatica interaction and the extent of the resistant phenotype is crucial for an effective parasite control and for developing alternatives to tackle fasciolosis transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annia Alba
- Centro de Investigaciones, Diagnóstico y Referencia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí", La Habana, Cuba.,University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hosts Pathogens Environments UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860, Perpignan, France
| | - Antonio A Vázquez
- Centro de Investigaciones, Diagnóstico y Referencia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí", La Habana, Cuba.,MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jorge Sánchez
- Centro de Investigaciones, Diagnóstico y Referencia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí", La Habana, Cuba
| | - David Duval
- University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hosts Pathogens Environments UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860, Perpignan, France
| | - Hilda M Hernández
- Centro de Investigaciones, Diagnóstico y Referencia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí", La Habana, Cuba
| | - Emeline Sabourin
- Centre de recherche de la Tour du Valat, Arles, France.,MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Benjamin Gourbal
- University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Interactions Hosts Pathogens Environments UMR 5244, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ. Montpellier, F-66860, Perpignan, France.
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Sánchez J, Alba A, García E, Cantillo J, Castro R, Vázquez AA. Detected trematodes inside blue-winged teals (Spatula discors) give insights on north-south flow of parasites through Cuba during migration. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2018; 13:124-129. [PMID: 31014859 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) is known for engaging in long-distance North-South migrations and back in the Americas with Cuba being an important wintering ground. Teals serve as hosts for a wide range of parasite species that can be "discharged" at each end of the migration route. Here, we explore for the first time the diversity of trematodes that the Blue-winged Teal may be introducing to -or exporting from- Cuba. We found 15 digenean parasites in 65 sampled teals of which 13 represent first reports for Cuba with one species (Echinostoma revolutum) of zoonotic importance. Overall prevalence was very high (96.92%) whereas Trichobilharzia spp. resulted the most ubiquitous parasite. Highest intensities were recorded for Australapatemon sp. (arriving teals) and Levinseniella amnicolae (departing teals). Altogether, departing teals harboured the highest number of trematode species and abundance. The short development and lifespan, inside migratory birds, of adult stages of trematodes like Trichobilharzia sp., Cotylurus flabelliformis and Microphallus pygmaeus strongly suggest that the occurrence of these trematodes in the departing teals could be related to their long establishment in Cuban ecosystems. In a global scenario where parasitology, particularly wildlife parasitology, is mostly overlooked, there should be an increasing need of gathering information and increasing surveillance of wildlife diseases that might eventually become important for the health of ecosystems and of domestic animals and humans. The present study constitutes the first major attempt to explore trematode infection from S. discors in Cuba under the view of parasite flow via bird migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Sánchez
- Centro de Investigación, Diagnóstico y Referencia., Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí", Autopista Novia del Mediodía km 6, PO Box 601, Marianao 13, 11200 La Habana, Cuba
| | - Annia Alba
- Centro de Investigación, Diagnóstico y Referencia., Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí", Autopista Novia del Mediodía km 6, PO Box 601, Marianao 13, 11200 La Habana, Cuba
| | | | - Jorge Cantillo
- Centro de Investigación, Diagnóstico y Referencia., Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí", Autopista Novia del Mediodía km 6, PO Box 601, Marianao 13, 11200 La Habana, Cuba
| | - Rodolfo Castro
- Estación Experimental del Arroz "Los Palacios", Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agrícolas, Carretera Sierra Maestra km 1, Los Palacios, Pinar del Río, Cuba
| | - Antonio A Vázquez
- Centro de Investigación, Diagnóstico y Referencia., Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí", Autopista Novia del Mediodía km 6, PO Box 601, Marianao 13, 11200 La Habana, Cuba.
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Amer S, ElKhatam A, Zidan S, Feng Y, Xiao L. Identity of Fasciola spp. in sheep in Egypt. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:623. [PMID: 27906040 PMCID: PMC5134227 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1898-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In Egypt, liver flukes, Fasciola spp. (Digenea: Fasciolidae), have a serious impact on the farming industry and public health. Both Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica are known to occur in cattle, providing the opportunity for genetic recombination. Little is known on the identity and genetic variability of Fasciola populations in sheep. Methods This study was performed to determine the prevalence of liver flukes in sheep in Menofia Province as a representative area of the delta region in Egypt, as measured by postmortem examination of slaughtered animals at three abattoirs. The identity and genetic variability of Fasciola spp. in slaughtered animals were determined by PCR-sequence analysis of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) genes. Results Physical inspection of the liver indicated that 302 of 2058 (14.7%) slaughtered sheep were infected with Fasciola spp. Sequence analysis of the ITS1 and nad1 genes of liver flukes from 17 animals revealed that 11 animals were infected with F. hepatica, four with F. gigantica, and two with both species. Seventy eight of 103 flukes genetically characterized from these animals were F. hepatica, 23 were F. gigantica, and two had ITS1 sequences identical to F. hepatica but nad1 sequences identical to F. gigantica. nad1 sequences of Egyptian isolates of F. gigantica showed pronounced differences from those in the GenBank database. Egyptian F. gigantica haplotypes formed haplogroup D, which clustered in a sister clade with haplogroups A, B and C circulating in Asia, indicating the existence of geographic isolation in the species. Conclusions Both F. hepatica and F. gigantica are prevalent in sheep in Egypt and an introgressed form of the two occurs as the result of genetic recombination. In addition, a geographically isolated F. gigantica population is present in the country. The importance of these observations in epidemiology of fascioliasis needs to be examined in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Said Amer
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kafr El sheikh University, Kafr El Sheikh, Egypt
| | - Ahmed ElKhatam
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Menofia, Egypt
| | - Shereif Zidan
- Department of Animal Hygiene and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Menofia, Egypt
| | - Yaoyu Feng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lihua Xiao
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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