Genetic Characterization of Schistosoma Species from Goats in Pakistan Using the 28S rDNA Region

The genus Schistosoma contains trematode species that cause the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis. From a systematic perspective, using conventional methods, different species of the family Schistosomidae are challenging to identify. Utilizing molecular methods, which enable quick and accurate identification of genetically distinct but morphologically related species, would be a wiser decision. Since the study of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) region is all that has been done thus far, there is still very little information available regarding the usage of 28S rRNA regions of Schistosomidae for phylogenetic inference. However, there is no information available regarding the morphological or molecular makeup of Schistosoma in Pakistan. Based on morphology and genotyping, 16 distinct Schistosoma worms from six infected goats were analyzed in this study. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the 28S rDNA was amplified, sequenced, and compared with 23 additional Schistosomatidae reference sequences that were accessible in GenBank. The phylogenetic relationship between them was constructed using the maximum likelihood approach. Relevant guidelines and regulations conducted all methods. The study is reported in alignment with the ARRIVE guidelines. In the current study, we carried out both morphological and molecular characterization of worms obtained from goats in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa area of Pakistan. Six of these worms had their morphology thoroughly investigated, and as a result, they were classified as Schistosoma species. Six flukes, along with an additional ten specimens, underwent PCR amplification and sequencing of the 28S rDNA region, which identified a single haplotype across all samples. A phylogenetic analysis of the 28S rDNA sequences of Schistosoma species was conducted in comparison with those of other members of the Schistosomatiddae family to evaluate intra-and interspecific variation. The findings indicated that Schistosoma from Pakistan (PP702080) and Schistosoma japonicum from China were genetically similar. The 28S r DNA genetic marker employed in the current study is very insightful and may be the focus of future research on the epidemiology and incidence of various diseases. Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of ruminant blood flukes requires the development of more polymorphic genetic markers.