# Markers of Triclabendazole Resistant Fascioliasis in the Highlands of Peru

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MED BR GALVESTON · 2020 · $497,882

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Fascioliasis is a global food-borne trematode infection targeted by WHO as an important neglected tropical
disease due to its high impact in human and livestock populations around the world. Triclabendazole is the only
drug recommended for treatment, but drug resistance is widespread in livestock and is an emerging problem
among infected humans. The mechanisms of triclabendazole resistance are not known and there are no reliable
markers that predict the susceptibility phenotype among infected subjects. Targeted evaluation of specific
candidate genes has yielded inconsistent results, likely due to the complexity of genotype-phenotype
relationships. The current proposal will use a genome-wide association approach to identify genetic variants that
are associated with triclabendazole resistance by analyzing the genomes of a large number of Fasciola parasites
infecting animals, including susceptible and triclabendazole-resistant isolates. The resistance-associated loci will
be validated using human-infecting parasites because we hypothesize that, due to the zoonotic nature of F.
hepatica, the variants contributing to resistance in animal and human hosts are conserved. Lastly, the current
grant will evaluate the transcriptional response of different stages of Fasciola exposed to various doses of
triclabendazole to uncover the mechanisms that induce resistance to triclabendazole. This is a well-rounded
proposal that upon completion will provide a mechanistic understanding of the biological processes that
determine the triclabendazole resistance phenotype and a set of reliable genetic markers that distinguish
between resistant and susceptible Fasciola parasites. In the long term, the results of this study may allow the
creation of diagnostic tools for early identification of TCBZ-R, to direct treatment of infected subjects, and provide
guidance for stewardship and control strategies. Identifying and restoring altered pathways may also help
overcome resistance and make TCBZ effective again. In addition, we will set-up of a model to study other
trematode parasites with complex lifecycles.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9999392
- **Project number:** 5R01AI146353-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MED BR GALVESTON
- **Principal Investigator:** MIGUEL MAURICIO CABADA
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $497,882
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-20 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9999392

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9999392, Markers of Triclabendazole Resistant Fascioliasis in the Highlands of Peru (5R01AI146353-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9999392. Licensed CC0.

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