Genetic structure of Spirometra mansoni (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidae) populations in China revealed by a Target SSR-seq method

Abstract

Background In China, the plerocercoid of the cestode Spirometra mansoni is the main causative agent of human and animal sparganosis. However, the population genetic structure of this parasite remains unclear. In this study, we genotyped S. mansoni isolates with the aim to improve current knowledge on the evolution and population diversity of this cestode. Methods We first screened 34 perfect simple sequence repeats (SSRs) using all available omic data and then constructed target sequencing technology (Target SSR-seq) based on the Illumina NovaSeq platform. Next, a series of STRUCTURE. clustering, principal component, analysis of molecular variance and TreeMix analyses were performed on 362 worm samples isolated from 12 different hosts in 16 geographical populations of China to identify the genetic structure. Results A total of 170 alleles were detected. The whole population could be organized and was found to be derived from the admixture of two ancestral clusters. TreeMix analysis hinted that possible gene flow occurred from Guizhou (GZ) to Sichuan (SC), SC to Jaingxi (JX), SC to Hubei (HB), GZ to Yunnan (YN) and GZ to Jiangsu (JS). Both neighbor-joining clustering and principal coordinate analysis showed that isolates from intermediate hosts tend to cluster together, while parasites from definitive hosts revealed greater genetic differences. Generally, a S. mansoni population was observed to harbor high genetic diversity, moderate genetic differentiation and a little genetic exchange among geographical populations. Conclusions A Target SSR-seq genotyping method was successfully developed, and an in-depth view of genetic diversity and genetic relationship will have important implications for the prevention and control of sparganosis. Graphical Abstract

Aquaculture of Animal Species: Their Eukaryotic Parasites and the Control of Parasitic Infections

“…Several parasites including Protista, trematodes, nematodes, and cestodes (Table 2), some of which could be zoonotic, are found in Anurans. In some areas, especially in Asia, Spirometra is a neglected food-and water-borne disease but the parasite is found worldwide [100][101][102].…”

Diversity and biology of Spirometra tapeworms (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea), zoonotic parasites of wildlife: A review

“…In general, high genetic diversity, moderate genetic differentiation and low genetic exchange between geographical populations in China have been observed ( Xu et al, 2022 ).…”

Annexin gene family in Spirometra mansoni (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidae) and its phylogenetic pattern among Platyhelminthes of medical interest

“…Sparganosis is a neglected foodborne and waterborne zoonotic disease caused by the plerocercoid larvae (sparganum) of various diphyllobothroid tapeworms belonging to the genus Spirometra , which causes losses to socioeconomic development and poses a threat to public health [ 8 , 23 , 52 ]. Human beings are mainly infected via the consumption of undercooked meat derived from frogs or snakes infected with plerocercoids, through drinking untreated water containing Spirometra larvae, or by placing poultices of frog or snake flesh on open wounds [ 12 , 20 ].…”