Variations to somatic protein profiles of Dicrocoelium dendriticum in Iranian ruminants

Background: Dicrocoelium dendriticum, a liver trematode of herbivores, and man is very prevalent among ruminants of Iran, resulting in causing significant economic losses. Recently its phenotype polymorphism has been found in Iran, a phenomenon that may affect the protein profile of the parasite. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the somatic protein profiles of D.dendriticum in different ruminants in Iran. Methods: Adult worms were collected from infected livers of sheep, goat, cattle, buffalo and camel. Somatic antigens were prepared separately by centrifugation of the homogenized adult worms and their patterns were determined using SDS-PAGE. Results: Our findings revealed 18-20 protein fractions in somatic proteins of D. dendriticum of sheep and goat and 12, 11 and 10 in that of buffalo, cattle and camel respectively showing similar molecular weights of 14.4 to 116 kDa. Similar protein bands were seen in sheep and goats samples; but not for in other samples. Conclusions: The results showed polymorphism in the somatic protein patterns of D.dendriticum isolated from different hosts. A different number of protein bands with similar molecular weights of somatic antigens of D.dendriticum are described for the first time in the present study.