New insight into genetic variation and haplotype diversity of Fasciola hepatica from Algeria.

The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica is 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 region spanning the COI-trnT-rrnL, and the NADH dehydrogenase subunit I (NADI) markers were used to characterize Fasciola flukes from Algeria. Fasciola appeared 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 of Fasciola was observed. Nuclear ITS marker indicated that all collected flukes belong to F. hepatica. Multiple alignments of ITS dataset revealed two haplotypes, one described here for the first time. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) of mitochondrial markers revealed weak population structure in Algeria. Mismatch distributions, neutrality tests, and median-joining network analysis all were compatible with a recent expansion of Algerian F. hepatica population. Fasciolosis appeared common in Algerian cattle, it seems that the absence of control strategy coupled to the favorable Mediterranean climate may lead to a reconstruction and dispersion of its populations. This study provides important results concerning the genetic characterization and variability of F. hepatica in Algeria as well as the significant role of cattle importation in shaping its dispersal route worldwide.

Genetically 'pure' Fasciola gigantica discovered in Algeria: DNA multimarker characterization, trans-Saharan introduction from a Sahel origin and spreading risk into north-western Maghreb countries.

Fascioliasis is a freshwater snail-borne zoonotic helminth disease caused by two species of trematodes: Fasciola hepatica of almost worldwide distribution and the more pathogenic F. gigantica restricted to parts of Asia and most of Africa. Of high pathological impact in ruminants, it underlies large livestock husbandry losses. Fascioliasis is moreover of high public health importance and accordingly included within the main neglected tropical diseases by WHO. Additionally, this is an emerging disease due to influences of climate and global changes. In Africa, F. gigantica is distributed throughout almost the whole continent except in the north-western Maghreb countries of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia where only F. hepatica is present. The present study concerns the DNA multimarker characterization of the first finding of F. gigantica in sheep in Algeria by the complete sequences of rDNA ITS-1 and ITS-2 and mtDNA cox1 and nad1 genes. Sequence comparisons and network analyses show sequence identities and similarities suggesting a south-north trans-Saharan geographical origin, with introduction from Ghana, through the Sahel countries of Burkina Faso and Mali into Algeria. This way perfectly fits with nomadic pastoralism according to interconnecting intranational and transborder herd transhumance routes traditionally followed in this western part of Africa from very long ago. The risk for further spread throughout the three north-western Maghreb countries is multidisciplinarily analysed, mainly considering the present extensive motorization of the intranational transhumance system in Algeria, the lymnaeid snail vector species present throughout the north-western Maghreb, the increasing demand for animal products in the growing cities of northern Algeria and the continued human infection reports. Control measures should assure making anti-fasciolid drugs available and affordable for herders from the beginning and along their transhumant routes and include diffusion and rules within the regional regulatory framework about the need for herd treatments.

First isolation of Dicrocoelium dendriticum among cattle in some Northern Algerian slaughterhouses.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Dicrocoelium dendriticum or small liver fluke often causes unnoticed clinical manifestations in cattle. For a live animal, its diagnosis is mainly based on the detection of eggs by coproscopic examination. The objective of this study was to determine the presence or absence of Dicrocoelium spp. never previously reported in the study area but also to establish its prevalence, as well as an association between dicrocoeliasis and sex, age and season of the year, and histological characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in slaughterhouses of three districts (Bouira, Tizi-Ouzou, and Bejaia) from January 2017 to December 2017. To this end, of 4053 cattle, representing more than 10% of the total number of animals slaughtered, stool and bile samples were collected and a liver inspection was carried out to investigate lesions of distomial cholangitis. They were processed for histological analysis. The specimens were morphologically identified according to the orientation of the testicles, the length and width of the body, and the level of the maximum width of the body. RESULTS: The total prevalence of dicrocoeliasis obtained of the 4053 cattle inspected is 0.52% with a prevalence of 0.66% in Tizi-Ouzou, 0.54% in Bouira, and 0.27% in Bejaia. About 0.52% of livers had distomial cholangitis (21 of the 4053 livers examined had adult D. dendriticum and 15% had non-distomial cholangitis. About 0.25% of cattle had D. dendriticum eggs in the stool versus 0.52% of cattle had parasite eggs in the bile. Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between dicrocoeliasis infection and the season of the year (p>0.05). However, a significant association was found between dicrocoeliasis infection and sex and age of the animal (p<0.05); females and older animals are more likely to have dicrocoeliasis. Histological analysis of the fluke revealed an anterior positioning of the testicles with a slightly oblique tandem orientation, an average body length of 3.69 mm and an average body width of 1 mm. The maximum body width level is either in the middle of the fluke body or in the rear position. CONCLUSION: The histological study confirms that the collected fluke is D. dendriticum. Thus, this work reveals for the 1st time in Algeria the presence of D. dendriticum in three districts (Bouira, Tizi-Ouzou, and Bejaia). The results indicate that many cattle farms in the North Central Province of Algeria are infested with D. dendriticum.