Genetic and infective diversity of the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica (Trematoda: Digenea) from Cuba

Abstract

In this study we present the first approach to exploration of the genetic diversity of Cuban Fasciola hepatica populations using microsatellite markers, coupled with observed prevalence in slaughterhouses. Nine populations of flukes recovered from cows and buffalos were studied in the central-western region of Cuba. The observed infection rates of definitive hosts (bovines) were 70-100% in most cases. An important amount of polymorphism was found in the four loci explored. However, no apparent genetic differences were found between populations from different provinces or bovine species. The absence of deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium suggests a high rate of cross-fertilization between F. hepatica individuals. This result was confirmed when all multilocus genotypes were tested for clonal reproduction and only four individuals differed statistically (P sex< 0.05). High values of expected heterozygosity coupled with highly probable mixing among strains make the metapopulation genetically diversified but similar in terms of certain alleles (low F ST values). These results suggest a close relationship between parasite diversity and cattle management in Cuba. Our findings should be taken into consideration by veterinary authorities to help mitigate fasciolosis transmission.

Reviewing Fasciola hepatica transmission in the West Indies and novel perceptions from experimental infections of sympatric vs. allopatric snail/fluke combinations

“…This is consistent with the scenario observed in Cuba where fasciolosis is not yet considered a severe public health problem but outbreaks occur (Rojas et al, 2010). On the contrary, the country is characterized by a hyper endemic situation at the veterinary level with prevalence ranging from 70-100% in cattle (Vâzquez et al 2016). The assessment of the different roles of each intermediate host snail species in the region is important to characterize the epidemiological context and to anticipate it under varying conditions.…”

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

“…The challenging of resistant individuals of P. columella has been always carried out using a constant standard dose of five miracidia (infective larva for the snails). Therefore, we wanted to explore the effect of higher infective doses of the parasite, either by single or serial exposure trials on both susceptible and resistant P. columella using a known polymorphic F. hepatica isolate from Cuba (La Palma; [ 15 ]). With these approaches we aimed at tipping the scales in favour of the infection success by (i) increasing the probability of encounter of compatible host-parasite genotypes, and (ii) by circumventing or hijacking the effectiveness of host immune defences with large miracidia numbers and/or enhanced genetic diversity of the parasite at which each snail is confronted [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Identity of Fasciola spp. in sheep in Egypt

“…Fascioliasis is a foodborne disease caused by infection with liver flukes of the genus Fasciola and occurs in a wide range of mammalian hosts worldwide [1, 2]. Liver flukes reside in the bile duct of the definitive hosts, resulting in sever hepatic damage and associated health consequences [3].…”

“…F. hepatica is common in temperate zones especially Europe, Americas and Australia, while F. gigantica is the known species in tropical regions of Africa and Asia. Both species overlap in occurrence in subtropical areas [1, 2, 8–11]. Fasciola spp.…”