Parasite population genetic contributions to the schistosomiasis consortium for operational research and evaluation within Sub-Saharan Africa
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Analyses of the population genetic structure of schistosomes under the “Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation” (SCORE) contrasting treatment pressure scenarios in Tanzania, Niger, and Zanzibar were performed to provide supplementary critical information with which to evaluate the impact of these large-scale control activities and guide how activities could be adjusted. We predicted that population genetic analyses would reveal information on a range of important parameters including, but not exclusive to, recruitment and transmission of genotypes, occurrence of hybridization events, differences in reproductive mode, and degrees of inbreeding, and hence, the evolutionary potential, and responses of parasite populations under contrasting treatment pressures. Key findings revealed that naturally high levels of gene flow and mixing of the parasite populations between neighboring sites were likely to dilute any effects imposed by the SCORE treatment arms. Furthermore, significant inherent differences in parasite fecundity were observed, independent of current treatment arm, but potentially of major impact in terms of maintaining high levels of ongoing transmission in persistent “biological hotspot” sites. Within Niger, naturally occurring Schistosoma haematobium/Schistosoma bovis viable hybrids were found to be abundant, often occurring in significantly higher proportions than that of single-species S. haematobium infections. By examining parasite population genetic structures across hosts, treatment regimens, and the spatial landscape, our results to date illustrate key transmission processes over and above that which could be achieved through standard parasitological monitoring of prevalence and intensity alone, as well as adding to our understanding of Schistosoma spp. life history strategies in general.
Date Issued
2020-07-01
Date Acceptance
2020-04-08
Citation
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2020, 103 (1), pp.80-91
ISSN
0002-9637
Publisher
American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Start Page
80
End Page
91
Journal / Book Title
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume
103
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2020 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided
the original author and source are credited.
Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided
the original author and source are credited.
License URL
Sponsor
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000554606800011&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
RR374-053/4785416
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tropical Medicine
DENSITY-DEPENDENT FECUNDITY
POLYMORPHIC MICROSATELLITE MARKERS
MANSONI INFECTIONS
PRAZIQUANTEL TREATMENT
WORM BURDEN
EGG COUNTS
ONE HEALTH
HAEMATOBIUM
EPIDEMIOLOGY
MULTIHOST
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2020-05-12