Ultra-structure, genetic characterization and Immunological approach of fish borne zoonotic trematodes (Family: Heterophyidae) of a redbelly tilapia

Fish-borne zoonotic trematodes (FBZT) are highly significant zoonotic trematodes that can infect humans by eating raw or undercooked fish harboring active metacercaria. In this investigation, FBZT was found in samples of widely cultivated redbelly tilapia (Tilapia zillii) obtained from the Fayum governorate. Encysted metacercaria (EMC) infection was identified in fish belonging to the heterophyid family morphologically. The prevalence of heterophyid EMC was 30.5%. EMC was identified and implemented in a subsequent study on domestic pigeons (Coluo livia domestica) carried out to allow adult flukes of Pygidiopsis (P.) genata; P. summa; and Ascocotyle (A.) pindoramensis species in their small intestine. This study presents the first report that combines ultra-structure, molecular approach of three species of heterophyid flukes, ultra-structure using transmission electron micro-scope in P. genata, and the study of host immunological responses and associated cytokines during Pygidiopsis species infection of pigeons in Egypt. Using Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), the gene expression levels of six cytokines (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-gamma and TGF-beta 3) were assessed. The molecular confirmation of P. genata, P. summa, and A. pindoramensis have a registration in the GenBank under accession number MT672308.1, OR083433.1, and OR083431.1, respectively. Throughout the infection, the gut produced cytokines in consid-erably variable amounts. As a result of the Pygidiopsis species infection in pigeons, our data showed distinctive cytokine alterations, which could aid in figuring out the immunological pathogenesis and host defense mecha-nism against this infection. This study focused on different types of fish-borne trematodes, particularly the zoonotically important ones.