Fasciola Species Introgression: Just a Fluke or Something More?

The threats posed by a range of viral and bacterial zoonotic diseases inevitably receive renewed attention in the wake of global pandemic events due to their overt and devastating impacts on human health and the economy. Parasitic zoonoses, however, many of which affect millions of people each day, are frequently ignored. In the case of fasciolosis, caused by infection with Fasciola hepatica or Fasciola gigantica, this oversight has allowed for the expansion of areas of parasite sympatry and thus increased the incidence of hybridization and possible introgression between the two species. Here we highlight how an increased demand for animal-derived protein, combined with a lack of appropriate tools for detection of these events, is changing the status quo of these zoonotic parasites.

Automated summary

Global pandemic events have brought renewed attention to viral and bacterial zoonotic diseases, but parasitic zoonoses are often overlooked. In the case of fasciolosis, a lack of appropriate detection tools has led to the expansion of parasite sympatry and increased hybridization between species. The increased demand for animal-derived protein is changing the dynamics of these zoonotic parasites.