Applying Evolutionary Genetics to Schistosome Epidemiology

Overview

Journal Infect Genet Evol

Specialties Biology
Genetics
Infectious Diseases

Date 2010 Feb 24

PMID 20176142

Citations 25

Authors

Michelle L Steinauer

Michael S Blouin

Charles D Criscione

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

We review how molecular markers and evolutionary analysis have been applied to the study of schistosome parasites, important pathogens that infect over 200 million people worldwide. Topics reviewed include phylogenetics and biogeography, hybridization, infection within snails, mating systems, and genetic structure. Some interesting generalizations include that schistosome species hybridize frequently and have switched definitive hosts repeatedly in evolutionary time. We show that molecular markers can be used to infer epidemiologically relevant processes such as spatial variation in transmission, or to reveal complex patterns of mate choice. Analysis of genetic structure data shows that transmission foci can be structured by watershed boundaries, habitat types, and host species. We also discuss sampling and analytical problems that arise when using larvae to estimate genetic parameters of adult schistosome populations. Finally, we review pitfalls in methodologies such as genotyping very small individuals, statistical methods for identifying clonemates or for identifying sibling groups, and estimating allele frequencies from pooled egg samples.

Citing Articles

Prospects for genomic surveillance for selection in schistosome parasites.

Nikolakis Z, Adams R, Wade K, Lund A, Carlton E, Castoe T Front Epidemiol. 2024; 2:932021.

PMID: 38455290 PMC: 10910990. DOI: 10.3389/fepid.2022.932021.

Integrating genomic and epidemiologic data to accelerate progress toward schistosomiasis elimination.

Lund A, Wade K, Nikolakis Z, Ivey K, Perry B, Pike H Elife. 2022; 11.

PMID: 36040013 PMC: 9427098. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.79320.

Natural Intra- and Interclade Human Hybrid Schistosomes in Africa with Considerations on Prevention through Vaccination.

Panzner U, Boissier J Microorganisms. 2021; 9(7).

PMID: 34361901 PMC: 8305539. DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071465.

Schistosomiasis Morbidity Hotspots: Roles of the Human Host, the Parasite and Their Interface in the Development of Severe Morbidity.

Mawa P, Kincaid-Smith J, Tukahebwa E, Webster J, Wilson S Front Immunol. 2021; 12:635869.

PMID: 33790908 PMC: 8005546. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.635869.

Population genomic analyses of schistosome parasites highlight critical challenges facing endgame elimination efforts.

Shortt J, Timm L, Hales N, Nikolakis Z, Schield D, Perry B Sci Rep. 2021; 11(1):6884.

PMID: 33767307 PMC: 7994584. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86287-y.

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