Molecular characterization of Fasciola spp. from ruminants in Duhok province using the ITS1 ribosomal DNA marker

This study aimed to characterize and identify the genotypes of Fasciola spp. isolated from sheep, goats, cattle in Duhok province based on ITS1 region rDNA. About 54 adult flukes were individually livers naturally infected ruminants. After morphological identification, genomic DNA was successfully extracted, ITS1segment (518 bp) rDNA amplified. The amplicons confirmed by gel electrophoresis yielded mono cleared bands. Five these samples (2 2 cattle, 1 goat) selected for sequencing then compared with NCBI-GenBank sequences genotyping phylogenetic analysis. Sequencing analysis BLAST results revealed that 3/5 resultant F. hepatica 2/5 gigantica. submitted accession numbers: OM920533, OM920534, OM948733, OM948683, OM918714. Alignment current GenBank showed presence nucleotide variations between gigantica species (interspecific), which enough separate them. At same time, they not observed within (intraspecific). pairwise identity percentage intraspecific interspecific isolates 100% 99.2-99.6%, respectively. Phylogenetic demonstrated this clustered into two clades (hepatica clades). present concluded both (F. gigantica) existed among ruminants are closely related different countries Middle East, Asia, Europe, Africa.