Phenotypic analysis of adult Fasciola spp. from Potohar region of northern Punjab, Pakistan.

Fasciolosis is caused by a trematode parasite widely distributed world over. Phenotypic analysis has been used to provide taxonomic position of Fasciola spp. This study highlights the taxonomical status of Fasciola species infecting cattle and buffalo of Potohar region. Adult gravid flukes were isolated from infected livers of the animals and were stained with Gower's carmine. The phenotypic parameters taken into consideration were BL, BW, VS-Post, VS-Vit indices and BL/BW ratios. The data was subjected to two way ANOVA and cluster analysis by using SPSS 16.1 version. Cluster analysis using hierarchical approach and similarity coefficient indicated that there were no phenotypic differences in Fasciola isolates of buffalo and cattle of Potohar and they were parasitized with the same liver fluke species. Results also revealed that there was a close similarity of Iranian F.gigantica and F. intermedia with that of local isolate. It was found that BL, BW and VS-Post values (mm) of Fasciola originating from Potohar region were similar to Fasciola intermedia of Iran and Egypt, whereas BL/BW ratio and VS-Vit showed that Fasciola isolates of Potohar region resembled with Fasciola gigantica of Iran. The genetic characterization of Fasciola intermedia using appropriate genetic markers is necessary to further confirm above findings. This study would help in developing indirect ELISA by using Fasciola intermedia for early diagnosis of fasciolosis in large ruminants. Furthermore, it would also facilitate to study the sero-epidemiological pattern of fasciolosis in order to develop effective control measures in Potohar region.