Open Access
How to translate text using browser tools
24 April 2020 Molecular Confirmation of a Fasciola Gigantica × Fasciola Hepatica Hybrid in a Chadian Bovine
Jennifer Giovanoli Evack, Remo S. Schmidt, Sylwia D. Boltryk, Till S. Voss, Annour A. Batil, Bongo N. Ngandolo, Helena Greter, Jürg Utzinger, Jakob Zinsstag, Oliver Balmer
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Fascioliasis is a zoonotic infection of humans and, more commonly, ruminants. It is caused by 2 liver fluke species, Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, which differ in size. The traditional morphological methods used to distinguish the 2 species can be unreliable, particularly in the presence of hybrids between the 2 species. The development of advanced molecular methods has allowed for more definitive identification of Fasciola species, including their hybrids. Hybrids are of concern, as it is thought that they could acquire advantageous traits such as increased pathogenicity and host range. In 2013, we collected flukes from Fasciola-positive cattle, sheep, and goats slaughtered in 4 Chadian abattoirs. DNA from 27 flukes was extracted, amplified, and analyzed to identify species using the ITS1+2 locus. Twenty-six of the 27 flukes were identified as F. gigantica, while the remaining fluke showed heterozygosity at all variable sites that distinguish F. hepatica and F. gigantica. Cloning and sequencing of both alleles confirmed the presence of 1 F. hepatica and 1 F. gigantica allele. To our knowledge, this is the first unambiguous, molecular demonstration of the presence of such a hybrid in a bovine in sub-Saharan Africa.

© American Society of Parasitologists 2020
Jennifer Giovanoli Evack, Remo S. Schmidt, Sylwia D. Boltryk, Till S. Voss, Annour A. Batil, Bongo N. Ngandolo, Helena Greter, Jürg Utzinger, Jakob Zinsstag, and Oliver Balmer "Molecular Confirmation of a Fasciola Gigantica × Fasciola Hepatica Hybrid in a Chadian Bovine," Journal of Parasitology 106(2), 316-322, (24 April 2020). https://doi.org/10.1645/19-66
Published: 24 April 2020
KEYWORDS
cattle
CHAD
Fasciola gigantica
Fasciola hepatica
fascioliasis
goats
hybrid
Back to Top