Identification and Molecular Characterization of Giant Liver Fluke (<i>Fascioloides magna</i>) Infection in European Fallow Deer (<i>Dama dama</i>) in Romania—First Report

Fascioloidosis is a parasitic disease of primary wild and domestic ruminants, caused by giant liver fluke, <i>Fascioloides magna</i>. The definitive host of the liver fluke in its area of origin (North America) is the white-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>). In Europe, the red deer (<i>Cervus elaphus</i>) and European fallow deer (<i>Dama dama</i>) are definitive hosts and the most sensitive hosts to <i>F. magna</i> infection, on which the parasite exerts serious pathogenic effects. In this study, we analyzed fecal samples and livers of 72 <i>D. dama</i> from 11 hunting grounds in Arad County, Romania. Of the 72 fecal samples and livers from <i>D. dama</i>, trematodes of the genus <i>Fascioloides</i> were identified in four (5.56%). Sequencing revealed that the trematodes identified in the samples were similar to the sequence of <i>F. magna</i> (GenBank no. EF534992.1, DQ683545.1, KU232369.1). The sequence obtained from the molecular analysis has been deposited in GenBank^® under accession number OQ689976.1. This study describes the first report of giant liver fluke (<i>F. magna</i>) infection in <i>D. dama</i> in Romania.