Phenotypic comparison of allopatric populations of Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica from European and African bovines using a computer image analysis system (CIAS)

Abstract

The quantification of the different sizes and shapes of Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica from bovines has been achieved for the first time in natural allopatric populations. Linear measurements, areas and ratios of gravid adults and eggs of F. hepatica (from France and Spain) and F. gigantica (from Burkina Faso) were analysed using a computer image analysis system and an allometric model: (y2m - y2)/y2 = c[(y1m - y1)/y1](b), where y1 = body area or body length, y2 = one of the measurements analysed, y1m, y2m = maximum values towards which y1 and y2, respectively, tend and c, b = constants. All the measurements overlap in the two fasciolids, apart from the distance between the ventral sucker and the posterior end of the body, body roundness and body length/body width ratio. The results obtained may be useful in Fasciola species identification in countries where both species coexist.

Identification of Excretory Secretory (ES) Liquid Antigen Protein Fasciola gigantica with Polyethilen Glycol (PEG) Separation

“…RiveraMarrero et al (1988) also reported that the protein band with a weight of 25 kDa and 30 kDa of fluid F. gigantica ES is a protein with specific properties for acute and chronic fasciolosis in rabbits, cows and sheep. Similar to the results of research Priago (2006) against worms F. gigantica and F. hepatica, the dominant protein profiles appear with a molecular weight of 29.3, 25, and 19 kDa.…”

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

“…Individual worms were washed extensively in physiological saline solution, identified morphologically as F. hepatica according to existing keys and descriptions of Periago et al (2006) and fixed in 70% ethanol until extraction of genomic DNA. Their codes, host species and geographical origins are listed in Table 1.…”

Genetic variability among Fasciola hepatica samples from different host species and geographical localities in Spain revealed by the novel SRAP marker

“…Despite the substantial economic losses caused by Fasciola, estimated at US$ 2 billion per year worldwide (Spithill and Dalton 1998), and the vast distribution of this cosmopolitan parasite (Mas-Coma et al 2003), little attention was given to study the morphometric and/or genetic variation of F. hepatica from different host species and/or geographical localities (Valero et al 2001a, b;Periago et al 2006;Alasaad et al 2007).…”