Morphological and molecular characterization of Explanatum explanatum from cattle and buffaloes in Myanmar.

A robust molecular marker is needed for discrimination of amphistome species, because identification based on morphology alone requires specialized knowledge and techniques. In this study, we performed morphological and molecular characterization of Explanatum explanatum, a species that causes severe liver damage in definitive host species. Fifty-five adult amphistomes were collected from cattle and water buffaloes in Myanmar. Eighteen of the amphistomes, arbitrarily chosen, were morphologically identified as E. explanatum using sagittal sections. All of the 55 amphistome isolates had identical second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of ribosomal DNA sequences; these sequences differed at 7 nucleotide sites from those of the closest species, Paramphistomum leydeni. Our data indicate that the ITS2 sequence could be a useful molecular marker for epidemiological studies on E. explanatum.

Inhibitory effects of pepstatin A and mefloquine on the growth of Babesia parasites.

We evaluated the inhibitory effects of pepstatin A and mefloquine on the in vitro and in vivo growths of Babesia parasites. The in vitro growth of Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, B. caballi, and B. equi was significantly inhibited (P < 0.05) by micromolar concentrations of pepstatin A (50% inhibitory concentrations = 38.5, 36.5, 17.6, and 18.1 µM, respectively) and mefloquine (50% inhibitory concentrations = 59.7, 56.7, 20.7, and 4 µM, respectively). Furthermore, both reagents either alone at a concentration of 5 mg/kg or in combinations (2.5/2.5 and 5/5 mg/kg) for 10 days significantly inhibited the in vivo growth of B. microti in mice. Mefloquine treatment was highly effective and the combination treatments were less effective than other treatments. Therefore, mefloquine may antagonize the actions of pepstatin A against babesiosis and aspartic proteases may play an important role in the asexual growth cycle of Babesia parasites.

Identification of Fasciola flukes in Thailand based on their spermatogenesis and nuclear ribosomal DNA, and their intraspecific relationships based on mitochondrial DNA.

We analyzed 147 Fasciola flukes obtained from cattle in Thailand based on their spermatogenetic ability, and nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and mitochondrial nicotiamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1) genes as molecular markers. One hundred twenty-eight flukes, which had abundant sperm in their seminal vesicles (spermic) and showed the PCR-RFLP pattern of F. gigantica in the ITS1, were accurately identified as F. gigantica. The other 19 flukes that had no sperm in their seminal vesicles were aspermic Fasciola sp. with the RFLP patterns identical to that of F. gigantica. Twenty-nine ND1 haplotypes (Fg-ND1-Thai 2-30) were distinguished in the 128 F. gigantica flukes and were divided into haplotypes unique to Thailand and those common to other countries, suggesting the possibility that ancestral haplotypes were introduced into Thailand. Three haplotypes (Fg-ND1-Thai 7, 9 and 27) appeared to be the major haplotypes found in F. gigantica from Thailand. Only one haplotype (Fg-ND1-Thai 1) was found in the 19 aspermic Fasciola sp. flukes obtained from geographical regions, and the nucleotide sequence of Fg-ND1-Thai 1 was identical to that of the aspermic Fasciola sp. from Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam and Myanmar, suggesting that they were descendants with a common provenance and expanded to these countries in the relatively recent past.

Molecular analysis of aspermic Fasciola flukes from Korea on the basis of the nuclear ITS1 region and mitochondrial DNA markers and comparison with Japanese aspermic Fasciola flukes.

It has been speculated that populations of aspermic Fasciola flukes in Korea and Japan have a close phylogenetic relationship. To evaluate this, we analyzed 33 Korean aspermic Fasciola flukes on the basis of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) and cytochrome c oxidase 1 (cox1) sequences. Fh, Fg, and Fh/Fg types were detected in the ITS1 region and displayed the fragment patterns of F. hepatica, F. gigantica, and both species, respectively by a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Additionally, three concatenated haplotypes of nad1 and cox1(nad1/cox1) were detected, and 2 of these, Kor1/Kor1 (Fsp1/Fsp1) haplotype and Kor2a/Kor2 (Fsp2/Fsp2) haplotype, were shared by Korean and Japanese aspermic flukes. The Fst value (0.019), calculated using the concatenated sequences, indicated that Korean and Japanese aspermic Fasciola populations were genetically undifferentiated. Interestingly, a combination of the Fh/Fg type and Kor1/Kor1 haplotype was found at the highest frequency in Korean aspermic flukes, whereas the Fg type and Fsp2/Fsp2 haplotype combination was found at a conspicuously high frequency in Japanese aspermic flukes. This indicates that a founder effect caused by the introduction of infected hosts may have played a key role in the introduction of aspermic Fasciola flukes from Korea into Japan.

Characterization of Fasciola spp. in Myanmar on the basis of spermatogenesis status and nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers.

Fasciola spp. in Myanmar were characterized on the basis of spermatogenesis status and DNA markers of nuclear internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1). We collected 88 adult flukes from Yangon, Lashio, and Myitkyina. Spermatogenesis status was analyzed by the presence of sperm in the seminal vesicles, and 8 aspermic and 80 spermic flukes were detected. The flukes were identified on the basis of spermatogenesis status and ITS1 types which were analyzed by a PCR-RFLP method, and 80 spermic flukes were identified as F. gigantica. A very low detection rate of aspermic Fasciola sp. indicated that they are not established in Myanmar. In phylogenetic analyses, the 7 aspermic Fasciola sp. from Myitkyina displayed a haplotype in nad1 sequence, which was identical to that of aspermic Fasciola sp. from other Asian countries including China. Therefore, they were probably introduced from China through an infected domestic ruminant. On the other hand, 17 nad1 haplotypes detected in F. gigantica belonged to 2 clades unique to Myanmar, each with a distinct founder haplotype in a network analysis. This indicated a unique history of F. gigantica introduction into Myanmar involving ancient artificial movements of domestic ruminants.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of Theileria species detected from Japanese serows (Capricornis crispus) in Iwate Prefecture, Japan.

In the present study, we tried to detect DNA for ribosomal RNA genes of piroplasma parasites from the liver or blood of 43 Japanese serows (Capricornis crispus) in Iwate Prefecture of Japan by polymerase chain reaction. Approximately 500-bp amplicons were obtained in 35 (81.4%) of the 43 samples by amplification for V4 hyper-variable regions of the 18S rRNA gene, and the amplicons were considered to be DNA of Theileria species. The complete nucleotide sequences (1,700 or 1709 bp) of the 18S rRNA gene were determined in 20 samples and were divided into 5 genotypes that were phylogenetically separated into two different lineages showing a polyphyletic relation. The Theileria DNAs of the two different lineages were considered to be those of distinct species.

Occurrence of two distinct Theileria lineages in sika deer (Cervus nippon) of Iwate Prefecture, Japan.

In the present study, we tried to detect protozoan blood parasites from the liver or blood of 141 Japanese sika deer (Cervus nippon) in Iwate Prefecture of Japan by polymerase chain reaction. Approximately 500-bp amplicons were obtained in 76 (53.9%) of 141 samples by amplification for V4 hyper-variable regions of the 18S rRNA gene, and the amplicons were considered to be DNA of Theileria species. The complete nucleotide sequences (1701-bp) of the 18S rRNA gene were determined in 25 samples and were divided into 8 genotypes that were phylogenetically separated into two distinct lineages showing a monophyletic relation. The two lineages of Theileria were detected in different rates (12 and 88%) from sika deer in Iwate Prefecture.

The first detection of Babesia species DNA from Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus) in Japan.

In this study, we tried to detect protozoan blood parasites from the liver or blood of 156 Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus) in Iwate Prefecture of Japan by polymerase chain reaction. Two amplicons (approximately 540 bp and 480 bp) were detected by amplification for V4 hyper-variable regions of the 18S rRNA gene. Approximately 540-bp products were obtained in 119 samples (76.3%) and were considered to be DNA of Hepatozoon ursi. Approximately 480-bp products were obtained in 22 samples (14.1%) and were considered to be DNA of Babesia species. The nucleotide sequences (1635 bp) of the 18S rRNA gene of Babesia sp. were very similar (99.3%) to those (AY190123, AY190124) of Babesia sp. detected previously from Ixodes ovatus. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Babesia sp. detected in this study closely related to Babesia sp. derived from raccoons in Japan and the U.S.A. This is the first report of Babesia species detected from Japanese black bears.

Identification of Fasciola species isolated from Egypt based on sequence analysis of genomic (ITS1 and ITS2) and mitochondrial (NDI and COI) gene markers.

Fascioliasis has a negative impact on the farming industry in both developed and developing countries, rather than a public health challenge. This study was performed to identify Fasciola sp. from different definitive hosts (buffalo, cattle, and sheep) based on the molecular parameters and spermatogenesis. Ninety-one adult flukes were collected from livers of slaughtered animals at abattoirs in different prefectures in Egypt. Microscopic examination of the analyzed flukes showed many normal spermatozoa in the seminal vesicles (spermic), suggesting that they have the ability of spermatogenesis. This study showed that no parthenogenic Fasciola species occurred in Egypt. Molecular analysis was performed utilizing genomic (ITS1 and ITS2) and mitochondrial (NDI and COI) gene markers. Whereas 16 animals proved to have infection with a single Fasciola species, 2 were infected with both F. hepatica and F. gigantica. The results indicated that sheep were prone to F. hepatica (8 out of 10 animals) more than F. gigantica infection. Sequences of ITS1 and ITS2 ribosomal region indicated that the flukes were categorized into 3 groups F. hepatica-type (47), F. gigantica-type (42) and 2 flukes possessed sequences of both types indicating an existence of different alleles at the same loci. Unique overlapping of T/C bases were detected in both ITS1 (Position 96) and ITS2 (Position 416). Based on results of mitochondrial gene markers (NDI and COI), flukes were classified into F. hepatica-type and F. gigantica-type. Extensive intra-sequence polymorphism was detected at both markers. NDI and COI sequences of Egyptian strain of F. gigantica showed pronounced diversity compared with relevant sequences at database.

DNA types of aspermic Fasciola species in Japan.

In order to reveal DNA types of aspermic Fasciola forms in Japan, Fasciola specimens obtained from eight prefectures that had not been previously reported were analyzed for DNA of ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase 1 (ND1) gene. Five combinations in DNA types of both ITS1 and ND1 were revealed from the results of this study and previous studies. The DNA type Fsp2, which is identical to that of F. gigantica in both ITS1 and ND1, was the most predominant in Japan, followed by Fsp1, which is the same DNA type as that of F. hepatica. Fasciola forms with Fsp1 mainly occurred in the northern region of Japan and those with Fsp2 were mainly in the western region. The founder effect related to migration of definitive host and susceptibility of intermediate host snail might play an important role in both geographical distribution and frequency of DNA types in Japanese Fasciola specimens.

Discrimination of the ITS1 types of Fasciola spp. based on a PCR-RFLP method.

Molecular characterization is important for discriminating Fasciola specimens having the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences of Fasciola hepatica, Fasciola gigantica, and both Fasciola species, since three Fasciola forms coexist in Asian countries. We have developed a restriction fragment length polymorphism of amplified DNA (PCR-RFLP) of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region in Fasciola species. The band patterns of the fragments digested with a restriction enzyme, Rsa I, were accurately distinguished among the three forms of Fasciola. Amplicons with the sequences of F. hepatica and F. gigantica were divided into fragments of about 360, 100, and 60 bp, and 360, 170, and 60 bp, respectively, and amplicons with the sequences of both Fasciola species yielded fragments of 360, 170, 100, and 60 bp. The results of PCR-RFLP completely coincided with those of sequence analysis, and thus PCR-RFLP is a useful technique for determining the ITS1 type in Fasciola species.

Molecular characterization of Fasciola hepatica, Fasciola gigantica, and aspermic Fasciola sp. in China based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.

Parthenogenic Fasciola forms as well as bisexual Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica in mainland China have been identified on the basis of their spermatogenesis and genotypes in nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase I (NDI). The Chinese aspermic Fasciola would include forms originating in interspecific hybrids between F. hepatica and F. gigantica, since they showed the genotype of ITS1-Fh/Fg that had mixed sequences of the two Fasciola species or heterogeneous genotypes in ITS1 and NDI. Additionally, there were Chinese aspermic flukes in which the sequences of ITS1 and NDI genotypes completely coincided with those in aspermic forms from Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, suggesting that the aspermic forms from these four countries are offspring with a common provenance. The Fh-C4 haplotype in NDI was detected in both aspermic specimens and F. hepatica, indicating that aspermic forms showing the haplotype might come into existence in China. The ratio of body length and width in aspermic Fasciola specimens showed intermediate values between those of F. hepatica and F. gigantica.