Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Spirometra Tapeworms from Snakes in Hunan Province

Abstract

Sparganosis is a neglected zoonotic parasitic disease that poses huge threats to humans worldwide. Snakes play an important role in sparganosis transmission because they are the most common second intermediate hosts for Spirometra parasites. However, the population genetics of Spirometra isolates from snakes is currently not well studied in China. The present study was performed to explore the molecular characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of Spirometra tapeworms from different species of snakes in Hunan Province. This study obtained 49 Spirometra isolates from 15 geographical areas in Hunan Province, Central China. Subsequently, the 18S and 28S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) fragments were amplified from the isolated parasites, and their sequences were analyzed to assess their genetic diversity. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using the maximum likelihood algorithm. The results showed that sequence variations among these isolates were 0–2.3% and 0–0.1% for 18S and 28S rDNA, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis showed that all Spirometra isolates from Hunan Province were clustered into the same branch with Spirometra erinaceieuropaei isolated from other areas (China, Vietnam, Australia). Moreover, the phylogenetic trees revealed that Spirometra is closely related to Adenocephalus, Pyramicocephalus, Ligula, Dibothriocephalus, Schistocephalus, and Diphyllobothrium. The Spirometra isolates of different hosts/regions in Hunan Province are not host segregated or geographically isolated, and support for the taxonomic status of Spirometra tapeworms in China has been added. These results provide reference values for future accurate identification and taxonomic status of Spirometra tapeworms in China.

Gene Cloning, Tissue Expression Profiles and Antiviral Activities of Interferon-β from Two Chinese Miniature Pig Breeds

“…The translated sequences were blasted against PoIFN sequences in GenBank for homology, conserved cysteine residues and potential N-glycosylation sites using the BLAST algorithm (https://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast.cgi, accessed on 2 December 2022). The amino acid sequences were further aligned with that of 11 different animal species (Supplemental Table S1) for sequence homologies (Clustal W scores) using the MegAlign program [22].…”

The biomechanical effects of insoles with different cushioning on the knee joints of people with different body mass index grades

“…ACF, whose matrix is a molecular structure specially designed viscoelastic polyurethane, is a novel mixed cellular material and a biomimetic metamaterial with a three-dimensional ultrastructure similar to human cartilaginous tissue ( Wang B. et al, 2020 ). Electron and atomic force microscopic scanning showed that the surface of ACF is distributed with connective micron-sized pores with a shape close to circular and nanoscale bumps ( Chen S. et al, 2022 ). It can absorb up to 97.1% of the impact energy, and the energy-absorbing capacity only decreases by 0.4% after five impacts ( Chen S. et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Electron and atomic force microscopic scanning showed that the surface of ACF is distributed with connective micron-sized pores with a shape close to circular and nanoscale bumps ( Chen S. et al, 2022 ). It can absorb up to 97.1% of the impact energy, and the energy-absorbing capacity only decreases by 0.4% after five impacts ( Chen S. et al, 2022 ). Its cushioning and energy absorption performance significantly exceeds those of ordinary cushioning materials ( Wang B. et al, 2020 ).…”