Applicability of selected ribosomal and mitochondrial genetic markers in identification of European bison lungworm: a state of the art review

Abstract

Large lungworms are nematode parasites of the genus Dictyocaulus that can infect wide range of ungulate hosts, including domestic and wild ruminants. They are the causative agents of parasitic bronchitis (husk, dictyocaulosis). Correct diagnosis of lungworm species and better understanding of the transmission patterns of the parasites are crucial in minimising the risk of its cross transmission between wildlife and livestock, and for control of dictyocaulosis. The study was conducted on large lungworms collected from European bison and cervids. The study resulted in several sequences of 18S RNA gene (small subunit) and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) regions of the ribosomal gene array as well as the mitochondrial (mt) cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 3 (cox3). The European bison was infected with a distinct genotype of a bovine lungworm, D. viviparus. Whereas the high degree of conservation of nuclear rDNA within Dictyocaulus taxa was identified, analysis of the mitochondrial cox1 sequence data revealed a diverse genetic background and high evolutionary potential within the genus. Additionally, the study revealed that the cox3 nucleotide sequences of roe deer lungworm (D. capreolus) and of European bison-derived D. viviparus were 100% homologous to each other, indicating that the mt cox3 gene does not serve as an efficient mt marker for systematic, population genetic or molecular epidemiological studies of Dictyocaulus spp.