Molecular Characterization of Fasciola hepatica in Sheep Based on DNA Sequences of Ribosomal ITS-1

Abstract

Introduction

World Health Organization (WHO) considers Fascioliasis as a neglected tropical disease that requires global efforts for disease control. Data from the genetic characterization of Fasciola population shed light on the spread of infections among animals which could help in the development of effective parasite control. The aim of the present work was to genetically characterize Fasciola adult worms isolated from sheep in Saudi Arabia by sequence analysis of ITS-1 region.

Methods

A total of 12,653 slaughtered sheep in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia were examined for the presence of Fasciola spp. adult worms. The ITS-1 region of all parasites was amplified and sequenced.

Results

Overall, 12 variants DNA sequences were obtained. The variance of isolates ranged from 0.00771 to 0.34405. BLAST search showed that all obtained sequences were Fasciola hepatica and had >99.3% similarity with F. hepatica isolates from Spain and USA (from different hosts other than sheep). Phylogenetic analysis showed that Fasciola isolates were closely related to isolates from different countries.

Discussion

The current study showed that F. hepatica was the only spp. isolated from sheep in Jeddah. Further studies from different localities in Saudi Arabia are needed to help in the development of disease control.

Keywords:

• genetic diversity
• characterization
• Fasciola hepatica
• parasitic diseases
• sheep

Ethics Statement

The present study was approved by the Institutional Review Board, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (protocol code UJ212430061).

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project number (PNURSP2023R39), Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and by the Researchers Supporting Project number (RSP2023R25), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.