First characterization of somatic proteins of trematodes of the family Paramphistomidae by SDS-PAGE isolated from cattle from the Cajamarca region, Peru

Abstract

Paramphistomosis is a gastrointestinal parasitic disease of worldwide distribution, with higher prevalence in tropical and subtropical regions. Its biological cycle has a chronic phase caused by adult trematodes that adhere to the rumen mucosa and a highly pathogenic phase caused by immature trematodes, which induce acute parasitic gastroenteritis. Studies related to the parasite are very scarce in the region of Cajamarca, Peru, regarding the characterisation of antigenic proteins, considering that this parasitosis is endemic and has emerging characteristics. The study aimed to characterise somatic proteins of adult forms of Paramphistomidae in cattle by electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). For this purpose, 630 adult parasites were collected from the rumen and reticulum of cattle from the processing centre of Cajamarca, Peru. We were able to characterise 21 protein bands from the somatic extract. The molecular weights of these bands ranged from 15 kDa to 119 kDa. This study may help carry out alternative control programmes such as developing vaccines, choice of appropriate drugs due to the therapeutic failures expressed by this parasite.