Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) Region as Molecular Marker for Parasite Identification in Aquaculture: A Review

Molecular technologies may be quicker and more accurate than the culture, serology, and histology procedures that have historically been employed to identify fish parasites. By using molecular diagnostic methods, parasites can be found in asymptomatic fish, allowing disease outbreaks to be stopped. This review discusses the use of Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) markers to detect parasite in aquaculture and their potential applications are discussed. It was found that it is a more reliable marker and species identification in combination with other DNA markers. ITS region are highly polymorphic non - coding region with sufficient taxonomic units. Thus, sequences can be separated at the species level. though ribosomal ITS as a universal barcode marker for parasite identification is still hampered by few limitations, the ITS will remain as the key choice for parasite identification. It remains the most important option for parasite identification. Many studies have been carried out using ITS markers for parasites identification such as cestode, nematodes, Pseudoterranova spp., Anisakis type I, Diplostomum, Gyrodactylids Hysterothylacium sp, Glochidia larvae. This identification of parasites are taken from the species Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Argentinesea bass, (Acanthistius patachonicus), and other samples from various places.