Genetic characterisation of Fasciola samples from different host species and geographical localities revealed the existence of F. hepatica and F. gigantica in Niger

Abstract

In the present study, 16 samples representing Fasciola (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda: Digenea) from sheep and cattle from seven geographical locations in Niger were characterized genetically by sequences of the first (ITS-1) and second (ITS-2) internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA). The ITS rDNA was amplified from individual liver flukes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the amplicons were sequenced directly. The lengths of the ITS-1 and ITS-2 sequences were 422 and 361/362 bp, respectively, for all liver fluke samples sequenced. Comparison of the ITS sequences of the Niger Fasciola samples examined in the present study with that of Fasciola hepatica, Fasciola gigantica, and the "intermediate Fasciola" from elsewhere revealed that the Niger Fasciola samples examined represent two species, namely F. hepatica and F. gigantica. This is the first demonstration of the existence of both F. hepatica and F. gigantica in Niger by a genetic approach, which provides foundation for further studies on F. hepatica and F. gigantica in Niger and has implications for studying the population genetic structure of the Niger Fasciola and for the diagnosis and control of the disease they cause.

Molecular Characterization of Fasciola Samples Using Sequences of Second Internal Transcribed Spacer-rDNA in Different Geographical Localities of Sistan and Balouchestan Province, Iran

“…The present results confirmed many previous findings around the world that have indicated the ITS-2 target is convenient for detection of the Fasciola species and subspecies (8,12).…”

“…In (12). The variation of genetic types in F. gigantica in the present study is more than in previous studies in other geographical locations and could be due to the entrance of exotic cattle from India and Pakistan to the province, as well as the occurrence of Fasciola contamination in native flocks with exotic strains.…”

Genetic characterization of Fasciola hepatica from Tunisia and Algeria based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences

“…The infection with Fasciola spp. represents a major human health problem in diverse parts of Africa such as Egypt, Zambia, Kenya, Algeria, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Nigeria (Haseeb et al 2002;Lotfy et al 2002;Mekroud et al 2004;Keyyu et al 2006;Mungube et al 2006;Pfukenyi et al 2006;Phiri et al 2007;Ali et al 2008), and recently, human infection cases with F. hepatica have been documented from southwest Tunisia, with prevalence infection of 6.6% (Hammami et al 2007). (Hammami and Ayadi 2008;Hamed et al 2009;Hammami et al 2007;Mekroud et al 2004;Khallaayoune et al 1991), F. gigantica on G. truncatula from Egypt and Lymnaea natalensis from Mali (Dar et al 2003;Tembely et al 1995).…”

Development and Evaluation of a Single-Step Duplex PCR for Simultaneous Detection of Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica (Family Fasciolidae, Class Trematoda, Phylum Platyhelminthes)

“…In recent years, an increasing number of human cases have been reported every year, particularly in the tropical developing countries, confirming its severe zoonotic transmission and emerging/ reemerging parasitic status (7,22,25,29,30,36,37). Both species coexist in some countries of North and East Africa such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Niger, Kenya, and Tanzania and in countries of Central/ Southeast Asia such as Pakistan, Iran, and China (6,8,9,25,30,38). Eating raw or improperly cooked vegetables/plants contaminated with Fasciola metacercariae can lead to fascioliasis, with potentially fatal injuries to the liver and biliary tract (30,48).…”