MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF FASCIOLA SPECIES IN WEST AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE

Fascioliasis caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica has medical
and economic importance in the world. Traditional approaches are not accurate and reliable in
identification of agent parasites. Thus the present study was designed to identify the Fasciola sppby
molecular methods in West Azerbaijan province.
Materials & Methods: In current study Fasciola isolates were collected from slaughterhouses in five
districts in West Azerbaijan province, Northwestern Iran. Parasite species were identified using
morphological and molecular tools, ribosomal DNA ITS1, 5.8s and ITS2 sequences. A number of 580
adult Fasciola worms were isolated from 90 infected livers (50 liver of cattle, 40 liver of sheep). Out
of 110 DNA extracted specimens, 50 specimens were subject to direct sequencing.
Results: Sequence analysis showed 100% similarity in ITS1 (428 bp), 5.8s (158 bp) and ITS2 (366 bp)
regions of all sequences. The degree of identity between F. hepatica and F. gigantica sequences was
98% with 11 nucleotide mismatches. Based on rDNA-ITS1 and ITS2 sequences, only F. hepatica
flukes are scattered among cattle and sheep population in West Azerbaijan province. Finally, 150
sequence of F. hepatica (50 sequences of each region of ITS) from West Azerbaijan province were
recorded to GenBank.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed no evidence of F. giganticain cattle and sheep in West
Azerbaijan province. More studies are essential to design new molecular markers will be helpful in
correct species identification and therefore, for control and prevention of this parasitic disease.