<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The control of the digenetic trematode <italic>Fasciola gigantica</italic> has been the major challenge in both cattle and small ruminants as there is a paucity of an effective and commercial vaccine. Thus, the accurate identification and prepatent diagnosis of <italic>F. gigantica</italic> is an essential prerequisite for its successful prevention and control. In the present study, the morphologically identified specimens isolated from the liver and bile ducts of sheep (<italic>Ovis aries</italic>) were validated through molecular data. The sequence analysis of ITS-2 of our isolates showed high degree of similarity with <italic>F. gigantica</italic> and <italic>F. hepatica</italic> using BLAST function of NCBI. The phylogenetic analysis of our isolates showed a close relationship with previously described <italic>F. gigantica</italic> and <italic>F. hepatica</italic> isolates from different countries. The antigenic profile of somatic and E/S antigens of <italic>F. gigantica</italic> were revealed by SDS–PAGE and immunoblotting using sera from sheep naturally infected with <italic>F. gigantica.</italic> By SDS-PAGE, 20 distinct bands were revealed from crude somatic fraction. Immunoblotting analysis of these proteins with positive sera exhibited 8 sero-reactive bands ranging from 14 to 97 kDa. Among these 38 and 44 kDa bands were quite specific with high diagnostic specificity and sensitivity. The E/S fraction comprised 7 distinct bands, as revealed by SDS-PAGE analysis. Immunoblotting analysis of these proteins with positive sera exhibited 6 antigenic bands ranging from 23 – 54 kDa. Among these 27 and 33 kDa were found to be quite specific with high diagnostic specificity and sensitivity. The present study concludes that the protein bands of 38 and 44 kDa in somatic fraction and 27 and 33 kDa in E/S fraction can be used for the immunodiagnostic purpose for this economically important parasite, which may also entice further studies regarding their vaccine potential.</p></abstract>

The control of the digenetic trematode Fasciola gigantica has been the major challenge in both cattle and small ruminants as there is a paucity of an effective and commercial vaccine. Thus, the accurate identification and prepatent diagnosis of F. gigantica is an essential prerequisite for its successful prevention and control. In the present study, the morphologically identified specimens isolated from the liver and bile ducts of sheep (Ovis aries) were validated through molecular data. The sequence analysis of ITS-2 of our isolates showed high degree of similarity with F. gigantica and F. hepatica using BLAST function of NCBI. The phylogenetic analysis of our isolates showed a close relationship with previously described F. gigantica and F. hepatica isolates from different countries. The antigenic profile of somatic and E/S antigens of F. gigantica were revealed by SDS–PAGE and immunoblotting using sera from sheep naturally infected with F. gigantica. By SDS-PAGE, 20 distinct bands were revealed from crude somatic fraction. Immunoblotting analysis of these proteins with positive sera exhibited 8 sero-reactive bands ranging from 14 to 97 kDa. Among these 38 and 44 kDa bands were quite specific with high diagnostic specificity and sensitivity. The E/S fraction comprised 7 distinct bands, as revealed by SDS-PAGE analysis. Immunoblotting analysis of these proteins with positive sera exhibited 6 antigenic bands ranging from 23 – 54 kDa. Among these 27 and 33 kDa were found to be quite specific with high diagnostic specificity and sensitivity. The present study concludes that the protein bands of 38 and 44 kDa in somatic fraction and 27 and 33 kDa in E/S fraction can be used for the immunodiagnostic purpose for this economically important parasite, which may also entice further studies regarding their vaccine potential.

Molecular characterization and Immunodiagnostic potential of various antigenic proteins of <italic>Fasciola gigantica</italic> species isolated from sheep of North West Himalayan Region

Helminthologia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Molecular characterization and Immunodiagnostic potential of various antigenic proteins of  species isolated from sheep of North West Himalayan Region

The control of the digenetic trematode Fasciola gigantica has been the major challenge in both cattle and small ruminants as there is a paucity of an effective...

Molecular characterization and Immunodiagnostic potential of various antigenic proteins of Fasciola gigantica species isolated from sheep of North West Himalayan Region

Published Online: May 04, 2019

Page range: 93 - 107

Received: Sep 04, 2018

Accepted: Dec 17, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2019-0003

Keywords
ITS-2, BLAST, Excretory/Secretory antigen (E/S), Sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE), Immunoblotting

© 2019 J. S. Dar et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Molecular characterization and Immunodiagnostic potential of various antigenic proteins of Fasciola gigantica species isolated from sheep of North West Himalayan Region

Published Online: May 04, 2019

Page range: 93 - 107

Received: Sep 04, 2018

Accepted: Dec 17, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/helm-2019-0003

KeywordsITS-2, BLAST, Excretory/Secretory antigen (E/S), Sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE), Immunoblotting

© 2019 J. S. Dar et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
ITS-2, BLAST, Excretory/Secretory antigen (E/S), Sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE), Immunoblotting