A total of 160 Fasciola and 200 Dicrocelium fresh adult liver trematode were chosen for molecular analysis from two geographic regions following the confirmation of the parasite's identities through diagnostic keys and morphological characteristics among the isolated goats, sheep and cows. The frequency distribution of Fasciola and Dicrocoelium examined in various hosts across the two areas of Kashan and Arak cities is presented in Table 2.
Table 2 The frequency distribution of Dicrocelium and Fasciola for molecular investigation from different hosts studied in Arak and Kashan regions
Total
|
Kashan Region
|
Arak Region
|
|
Present
|
Number
|
parasite
|
Present
|
Number
|
parasite
|
Host
|
50
55
|
30
25
|
30
25
|
Fasciola
Dicrocoelium
|
33.3
30
|
20
30
|
Fasciola
Dicrocoelium
|
Cattle
|
55
73
|
35
38
|
35
38
|
Fasciola
Dicrocoelium
|
33.3
35
|
20
35
|
Fasciola
Dicrocoelium
|
Sheep
|
55
72
|
35
37
|
35
37
|
Fasciola
Dicrocoelium
|
33.3
35
|
20
35
|
Fasciola
Dicrocoelium
|
Goat
|
160
200
|
100
100
|
100
100
|
Fasciola
Dicrocoelium
|
100
100
|
60
100
|
Fasciola
Dicrocoelium
|
Total
|
Microscopic examination showed that hepatic samples were infected with the both Fasciola species (F. hepatica, and F. gigantica) and only D. dendritium, according to the standard measurements and morphometric characteristics.
PCR of Fasciola CO1, ND1, 18s and 28s regions
Polymerase chain reaction product showed the presence of specified bands of Fasciola species by using the recommended primers as 500bp (COI), 700bp (NDI), 260bp (18s) and 681bp (28s) after optimizing the thermal gradient PCR done. Fig. 1(a,b) and Fig. 2(a,b) show the electrophoresis results of the PCR product of the CO1, ND1, 18s and 28sgenes of Fasciola liver trematode collected from Arak and Kashan regions in sheep, goat and cattle.
PCR-RFLP of Fasciola CO1, ND1 and 28s genes
To determine the enzymatic digestion pattern of the CO1, ND1 and 28sregions of Fasciola liver flukes, the RFLP method of the ECO881, Hind III and BsrBI restriction enzymes was used. The ECO881 and Hind III enzymes have no effect on F.gigantica, but they cut F.hepatica into a fragment of 119,381bp and bp73, bp120 and bp507 fragments respectively (Fig. 1d, 1e). The BsrBI restriction enzyme had no effect on genotype F. hepatica, but it cuts genotype of F.gigantica into a fragment of 285bp and 233bp (Fig. 2c).
PCR of Dicrocoelium ITS2 and 28s genes
The PCR reaction product showed the presence of specified bands of Dicrocoelium species by using the recommended primers as 236 bp (ITS2) and 963 bp (28s) after optimizing the thermal gradient PCR done. Fig. 3(a,b) and Fig. 4(a,b) show the electrophoresis results of the PCR product of the ITS2 and 28s genes of Dicrocoelium liver trematode collected from Arak and Kashan regions in sheep, goat and cattle.
PCR-RFLP of Dicrocoelium ITS2, and 28s genes
To determine the enzymatic digestion pattern of the ITS2, 28s regions of Dicrocoelium liver flukes, the RFLP method of the Bfa1, and Tru1Irestriction enzymes was used. The Bfa1 and Tru1Ienzymes cuts D.dendriticu into a fragment of 110bp and 126bp and 116bp, 145bp, 293bp and 409bp, respectively. Fig. 3(c,d) and Fig. 4(c,d) clearly present the only predominant genotype of Dicroceolium in various hosts in Iran is D.dendriticum
PCR-RFLP of Fasciola 28s gene in Kashan region
PCR of DicrocoeliumITS2 and 28s genes inKashan and Arak