Molecular characterization of Fasciola isolates collected from sheep, goats and cattle in Kisumu, Baringo and Narok Counties, Kenya

Abstract Fasciolosis is a neglected trematode infection of public health and veterinary importance caused by Fasciola gigantica and Fasciola hepatica. Molecular analysis using the internal transcribed spacers’ ITS-1 and ITS-2 of nuclear ribosomal DNA is useful in distinguishing Fasciola species. This study aimed to characterize liver flukes from sheep, goats and cattle using these genetic markers. Fifty nine adult Fasciola specimens were collected from livers of naturally infected sheep, goats and cattle at selected abattoirs in Kisumu, Baringo and Narok Counties. Sequence comparison of ITS-1 and ITS-2 sequences of Fasciola isolates from this study and sequences in Genbank was carried out. A maximum likelihood tree was constructed for phylogenetic analysis. Analysis of ITS-1 and ITS-2 rDNA sequences revealed that F. hepatica and F. gigantica caused infection in both cattle and sheep and in goats only F. gigantica caused infection. The sequenced PCR amplicons showed a close relationship between Fasciola species in this study with Fasciola isolates from other regions in the world. Phylogenetic analysis showed that sequences of F. hepatica are similar to the sequence from Spain, China and Tunisia obtained from GenBank. The sequences of F. gigantica in this study have similarity to the sequence from Iran and Burkina Faso. Data from this study provides information that serves as basis for further studies on the distribution of F. gigantica and F. hepatica in other localities in Kenya, and is also important in designing epidemiological and control programmes for zoonotic fascioliasis.