New insight into genetic variation and haplotype diversity ofFasciola hepaticafrom Algeria

Abstract

The liver flukeFasciola hepaticais the main cause of fasciolosis in North Africa leading to significant economic losses and public health problems. In this study, the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), cytochrome c oxidase I (COI), the mitochondrial regionspanning the COI-trnT-rrnL, and the NADH dehydrogenase subunit I (NADI) markers were used to characterize Fasciolaflukes from Algeria.Fasciolaappeared widespread from the east to the west of Algeria. Among 1701 sampled cattle from 8 Algerian provinces,5% were infected. Using morphological and morphometric analysis, one morphotype ofFasciolawas observed. Nuclear ITS markerindicated that all collected flukes belong toF. hepatica. Multiple alignments of ITS dataset revealed two haplotypes, one described herefor the first time. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) of mitochondrial markers revealed weak population structure in Algeria.Mismatch distributions, neutralitytests, and median-joining network analysis all were compatible with a recent expansion of AlgerianF. h e p a tic apopulation. Fasciolosis appeared common in Algerian cattle,it seems that the absence of control strategy coupled to thefavorable Mediterranean climate may lead to a reconstruction and dispersion of its populations. This study provides important resultsconcerning the genetic characterization and variability of F. hepaticain Algeria as well as the significant role of cattle importation inshaping its dispersal route worldwide.