Study on the Species of Fasciola in an Endemic Area in Alexandria Governorate

Abstract

Human fasciolosis was very sporadic until the last few decades when many cases and outbreaks were reported. It has now become an important emerging . food-borne trematode infection of increasing concern. The largest numbers of affected people have been reported from Bolivia, China, Ecuador, Egypt, France, • Islamic Republic oflran, Peru and Portugal.

The present study was a trial to confirm the presence of the two species of

Fasciola in Egypt and to define the species incriminated in human fasciolosis. Proper identification and characterization of Fasciola 'species present in Egypt is very important to build up a powerful strategy of control, which may be applicable to other countries.

A. Study on animal fasciolosis:

A.l. Morphological and morphoanatomical data:

From the . general shape, adult flukes could be classified into typical F. gigantica, typical F. hepatica and unidentified flukes that may be misdiagnosed or considered as intermediate forms. After comprehensive literature review and major experimentation, reliable taxonomic criteria were established to differentiate between the two species and the probability of the presence of intermediate forms among the studied samples was excluded.

According to the present study, typical F. gigantica was differentiated morphologically from typical F. hepatica on account of its elongated shape, less breadth, less developed shoulders and larger ventral sucker. Also, the posterior half of the body of F. hepatica gradually narrowed presenting a more or less V-