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Geographic strain differentiation of Schistosoma japonicum in the Philippines using microsatellite markers
- Source :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 11, Iss 7, p e0005749 (2017)
- Publication Year :
- 2017
- Publisher :
- Public Library of Science, 2017.
-
Abstract
- Background Microsatellites have been found to be useful in determining genetic diversities of various medically-important parasites which can be used as basis for an effective disease management and control program. In Asia and Africa, the identification of different geographical strains of Schistosoma japonicum, S. haematobium and S. mansoni as determined through microsatellites could pave the way for a better understanding of the transmission epidemiology of the parasite. Thus, the present study aims to apply microsatellite markers in analyzing the populations of S. japonicum from different endemic areas in the Philippines for possible strain differentiation. Methodology/ Principal findings Experimental mice were infected using the cercariae of S. japonicum collected from infected Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi snails in seven endemic municipalities. Adult worms were harvested from infected mice after 45 days of infection and their DNA analyzed against ten previously characterized microsatellite loci. High genetic diversity was observed in areas with high endemicity. The degree of genetic differentiation of the parasite population between endemic areas varies. Geographical separation was considered as one of the factors accounting for the observed difference between populations. Two subgroups have been observed in one of the study sites, suggesting that co-infection with several genotypes of the parasite might be present in the population. Clustering analysis showed no particular spatial structuring between parasite populations from different endemic areas. This result could possibly suggest varying degrees of effects of the ongoing control programs and the existing gene flow in the populations, which might be attributed to migration and active movement of infected hosts from one endemic area to another. Conclusions/ Significance Based on the results of the study, it is reasonable to conclude that genetic diversity could be one possible criterion to assess the infection status in highly endemic areas. Genetic surveillance using microsatellites is therefore important to predict the ongoing gene flow and degree of genetic diversity, which indirectly reflects the success of the control program in schistosomiasis-endemic areas.<br />Author summary Schistosomiasis is one of the important neglected tropical diseases endemic in 78 countries throughout the world. The disease is caused by the parasitic worms known as schistosomes. In the Philippines, S. japonicum is the causative agent of the disease. The prevalence of the disease varies in endemic areas, suggesting that the parasite populations might differ in their genetic composition and infectivity to the human host. In this study, DNA samples of adult worms from seven endemic municipalities were analyzed. Characterization of S. japonicum samples in different endemic sites with varying prevalence provides information on the genetic diversity of the parasite. Results of this study showed that samples in high prevalence endemic areas like Irosin, Catarman and Socorro were genetically diverse as compared to other areas. Information on parasite genetic diversity is therefore important in planning disease control strategies. The results suggest ongoing parasite transmission across geographic endemic areas which should be monitored and used as reference for genetic diversity of the schistosomes attributed to geographic areas, thus a safeguarding precaution should be implemented to ensure localized elimination of the disease.
- Subjects :
- 0301 basic medicine
Male
Philippines
Snails
Population genetics
Pathogenesis
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Microsatellite Loci
Schistosoma japonicum
Gene flow
Mice
0302 clinical medicine
Genotype
Medicine and Health Sciences
Cercaria
Genetics
education.field_of_study
Mice, Inbred BALB C
biology
Geography
Coinfection
lcsh:Public aspects of medicine
Phylogeography
Infectious Diseases
Biogeography
Schistosomiasis japonica
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Microsatellite
Schistosoma
Female
Research Article
lcsh:Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine
lcsh:RC955-962
030231 tropical medicine
Population
Zoology
03 medical and health sciences
Gene Types
Helminths
Genetic variation
parasitic diseases
Parasitic Diseases
Animals
Humans
education
Genetic diversity
Evolutionary Biology
Population Biology
Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Organisms
Biology and Life Sciences
Genetic Variation
lcsh:RA1-1270
Molluscs
biology.organism_classification
Invertebrates
030104 developmental biology
Gastropods
Genetics of Disease
Earth Sciences
Population Genetics
Microsatellite Repeats
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19352735 and 19352727
- Volume :
- 11
- Issue :
- 7
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....1f4c8fc3228450559a99fdf5454f7182