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Salimi M, Sharifdini M, Kia EB. Molecular Characterization of Spirometra erinaceieuropaei from Jungle Cat (Felis chaus) in North of Iran. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:574-582. [PMID: 38231311 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00779-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study is to conduct a molecular characterization of Spirometra tapeworm from jungle cat (Felis chaus) in Guilan Province, north of Iran using DNA sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (Cox1) and 12S rDNA sequences. METHODS Morphological features of the adult tapeworm of Spirometra were evaluated using specific staining and light microscopy. The molecular characterization was performed using partial Cox1 and 12S rDNA regions. Genetic diversity was calculated and phylogenetic trees of the obtained sequences were constructed. RESULTS Morphological features were compatible with previous description of adult Spirometra erinaceieuropaei. The Cox1 sequence of the specimen showed 100% similarity with S. erinaceieuropaei sequences in GenBank from Korea, China and Iran. Also, the 12S rDNA sequence revealed 99.7% similarity with S. erinaceieuropaei isolates from China and Japan. Intra-species variation within isolates of S. erinaceieuropaei was 0-1.4% and 0-4.6% for Cox1 and 12S rDNA genes, respectively. CONCLUSION This is the first report of molecular characterization of S. erinaceieuropaei in jungle cat, F. chaus in Iran. Jungle cat probably plays a major role as reservoir host in maintaining of this parasite in this area with favorable climate condition. Needs for further assessment on the role of appropriate hosts, especially intermediate/paratenic hosts as well as the potential risk of human infectivity with sparganosis is emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahboobeh Salimi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Meysam Sharifdini
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
| | - Eshrat Beigom Kia
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Nguyen YTH, Nguyen LAT, VAN Dong H, Duong HD, Yoshida A. Molecular identification of sparganum of Spirometra mansoni isolated from the abdominal cavity of a domestic cat in Vietnam. J Vet Med Sci 2024; 86:96-100. [PMID: 38030282 PMCID: PMC10849862 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.23-0236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cats normally play a role of the definitive host in which the plerocercoid (sparganum), the second larval form of Spirometra spp., develops into an adult in the intestines. However, some cases of cats with visceral or subcutaneous sparganosis were sporadically reported worldwide. We herein documented the discovery of a sparganum in abdominal cavity of a domestic cat during a surgery of dystocia. The larva was molecularly identified as Spirometra mansoni, belonging to Type I, that was recently misidentified to be S. erinaceieuropaei in several Asian countries. This is the first report for sparganum of S. mansoni in the cat. The future study is necessary to provide further insights into the species of Spirometra causing sparganosis and spirometrosis in humans and other animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen Thi Hoang Nguyen
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Ha Noi, Vietnam
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Ha Noi, Vietnam
| | - Lan Anh Thi Nguyen
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Ha Noi, Vietnam
| | - Hieu VAN Dong
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Ha Noi, Vietnam
| | - Hieu Duc Duong
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Ha Noi, Vietnam
| | - Ayako Yoshida
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitic Diseases, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
- Centre for Animal Disease Control (CADIC), University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
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Liu S, Gao F, Wang R, Li W, Wang S, Zhang X. Molecular Characteristics of the Fatty-Acid-Binding Protein (FABP) Family in Spirometra mansoni-A Neglected Medical Tapeworm. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2855. [PMID: 37760255 PMCID: PMC10525997 DOI: 10.3390/ani13182855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The plerocercoid larva of the tapeworm Spirometra mansoni can parasitize humans and animals, causing serious parasitic zoonosis. The molecular characteristics and adaptive parasitism mechanism of Spirometra tapeworms are still unknown. In this study, 11 new members of the fatty-acid-binding protein (FABP) family were characterized in S. mansoni. A clustering analysis showed 11 SmFABPs arranged into two groups, and motif patterns within each group had similar organizations. RT-qPCR showed that SmFABPs were highly expressed in the adult stage, especially in gravid proglottid. A high genetic diversity of SmFABPs and relative conservation of FABPs in medical platyhelminthes were observed in the phylogenetic analysis. Immunolocalization revealed that natural SmFABP is mainly located in the tegument and parenchymal tissue of the plerocercoid and the uterus, genital pores, and cortex of adult worms. rSmFABP can build a more stable holo form when binding with palmitic acid to protect the hydrolytic sites of the protein. A fatty acid starvation induction test suggested that SmFABP might be involved in fatty acid absorption, transport, and metabolism in S. mansoni. The findings in this study will lay the foundation to better explore the underlying mechanisms of FABPs involved in Spirometra tapeworms as well as related taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (S.L.); (F.G.); (R.W.); (W.L.); (S.W.)
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Wang RJ, Li W, Liu SN, Wang SY, Jiang P, Wang ZQ, Zhang X. Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of plerocercoid and adult Spirometra mansoni reveal potential important pathways in the development of the medical tapeworm. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:316. [PMID: 37670335 PMCID: PMC10481575 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05941-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spirometra mansoni can parasitize animals and humans through food and water, causing parasitic zoonosis. Knowledge of the developmental process of S. mansoni is crucial for effective treatment; thus, it is important to characterize differential and specific proteins and pathways associated with parasite development. METHODS In this study, we performed a comparative proteomic analysis of the plerocercoid and adult stages using a tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomic approach. Additionally, integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were conducted to obtain the full protein expression profiles of different life cycle stages of the tapeworm. RESULTS Approximately 1166 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in adults versus plerocercoids, of which 641 DEPs were upregulated and 525 were downregulated. Gene Ontology (GO), Clusters of Orthologous groups (COG) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses indicated that most DEPs related to genetic information processing and metabolism of energy in adults seem to be more activated. In the plerocercoid stage, compared to metabolism, genetic information processing appears more dynamic. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) revealed six key proteins (phosphomannomutase, glutathione transferase, malate dehydrogenase, cytoplasmic, 40S ribosomal protein S15, ribosomal protein L15 and 60S acidic ribosomal protein P2) that may play active roles in the growth and development of S. mansoni. Finally, the combination of transcriptomic and proteomic data suggested that three pathways (ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, phagosome and spliceosome) and five proteins closely related to these pathways might have a significant influence in S. mansoni. CONCLUSIONS These findings contribute to increasing the knowledge on the protein expression profiles of S. mansoni and provide new insights into functional studies on the molecular mechanisms of the neglected medical tapeworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Jie Wang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Wen Li
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Shi Nan Liu
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Si Yao Wang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Peng Jiang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Zhong Quan Wang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.
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Vorel J, Kmentová N, Hahn C, Bureš P, Kašný M. An insight into the functional genomics and species classification of Eudiplozoon nipponicum (Monogenea, Diplozoidae), a haematophagous parasite of the common carp Cyprinus carpio. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:363. [PMID: 37380941 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09461-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Monogenea (Platyhelminthes, Neodermata) are the most species-rich class within the Neodermata superclass of primarily fish parasites. Despite their economic and ecological importance, monogenean research tends to focus on their morphological, phylogenetic, and population characteristics, while comprehensive omics analyses aimed at describing functionally important molecules are few and far between. We present a molecular characterisation of monogenean representative Eudiplozoon nipponicum, an obligate haematophagous parasite infecting the gills of the common carp. We report its nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, present a functional annotation of protein molecules relevant to the molecular and biochemical aspect of physiological processes involved in interactions with the fish hosts, and re-examinate the taxonomic position of Eudiplozoon species within the Diplozoidae family. RESULTS We have generated 50.81 Gbp of raw sequencing data (Illumina and Oxford Nanopore reads), bioinformatically processed, and de novo assembled them into a genome draft 0.94 Gbp long, consisting of 21,044 contigs (N50 = 87 kbp). The final assembly represents 57% of the estimated total genome size (~ 1.64 Gbp), whereby repetitive and low-complexity regions account for ~ 64% of the assembled length. In total, 36,626 predicted genes encode 33,031 proteins and homology-based annotation of protein-coding genes (PCGs) and proteins characterises 14,785 (44.76%) molecules. We have detected significant representation of functional proteins and known molecular functions. The numbers of peptidases and inhibitors (579 proteins), characterised GO terms (16,016 unique assigned GO terms), and identified KEGG Orthology (4,315 proteins) acting in 378 KEGG pathways demonstrate the variety of mechanisms by which the parasite interacts with hosts on a macromolecular level (immunomodulation, feeding, and development). Comparison between the newly assembled E. nipponicum mitochondrial genome (length of 17,038 bp) and other diplozoid monogeneans confirms the existence of two distinct Eudiplozoon species infecting different fish hosts: Cyprinus carpio and Carassius spp. CONCLUSIONS Although the amount of sequencing data and characterised molecules of monogenean parasites has recently increased, a better insight into their molecular biology is needed. The E. nipponicum nuclear genome presented here, currently the largest described genome of any monogenean parasite, represents a milestone in the study of monogeneans and their molecules but further omics research is needed to understand these parasites' biological nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiří Vorel
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno, 611 37, Czech Republic.
| | - Nikol Kmentová
- Research Group Zoology: Biodiversity and Toxicology, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Gebouw D, Diepenbeek, B-3590, Belgium
| | - Christoph Hahn
- Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, Graz, A-8010, Austria
| | - Petr Bureš
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno, 611 37, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kašný
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno, 611 37, Czech Republic
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Chen WQ, Liu SS, Cheng C, Cui J, Wang ZQ, Zhang X. Molecular characteristics of glutathione transferase gene family in a neglect medical Spirometra tapeworm. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1035767. [PMID: 36406076 PMCID: PMC9666886 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1035767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The Spirometra mansoni is a neglect medical tapeworm, its plerocercoid larvae can parasitize in humans and animals, causing sparganosis. In this study, 17 new members of the glutathione transferase (GST) family were sequenced and characterized in S. mansoni. Clustering analysis displayed the categorization of SmGSTs into two main clades. RT-qPCR illustrated that 7 GST genes were highly expressed in the plerocercoid stage while 8 GSTs were highly expressed in the adult. rSmGST has the typical C- and N-terminal double domains of glutathione transferase. Immunolocalization revealed that natural SmGST is mainly located in the epidermis and parenchyma of plerocercoid, and in the epidermis, parenchyma, uterus and egg shell of adult worm. The optimum activity for rSmGST was found to be pH 6.5 and 25°C. The evolutionary tree showed a high level of diversity of cestodes GSTs. SmGSTs contained both conserved family members and members in the process of further diversification. The findings in this study will lay a foundation to better explore the underlying mechanisms of GSTs involved in Spirometra tapeworms.
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Liu SN, Su XY, Chen WQ, Yu JW, Li JR, Jiang P, Cui J, Wang ZQ, Zhang X. Transcriptome profiling of plerocercoid and adult developmental stages of the neglected medical tapeworm Spirometra erinaceieuropaei. Acta Trop 2022; 232:106483. [PMID: 35469749 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The plerocercoid larvae of the tapeworm Spirometra erinaceieuropaei can parasitize humans and animals and cause serious parasitic zoonosis. However, our knowledge of the developmental process of S. erinaceieuropaei is still inadequate. To better characterize differential and specific genes and pathways associated with parasite development, a comparative transcriptomic analysis of the plerocercoid stage and the adult stage was performed using RNA-seq and de novo analysis. Approximately 13,659 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in plerocercoids versus adults, of which 6455 DEGs were upregulated and 7204 were downregulated. DEGs involved in parasite immunoevasion were more active in plerocercoid larvae than in adults, while DEGs associated with metabolic activity were upregulated in adults. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes (KEGG) analyses revealed that most DEGs involved in protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation and the Wnt signalling pathway were much more active in plerocercoid larvae. The molecular functions of upregulated unigenes in adults were mainly enriched for metabolic activities. qPCR validated that the expression levels of 10 selected DEGs were consistent with those in RNA-seq, confirming the accuracy of the RNA-seq results. Our results contributed to increasing the knowledge on the S. erinaceieuropaei gene repertoire and expression profile and also provide valuable resources for functional studies on the molecular mechanisms of S. erinaceieuropaei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Nan Liu
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xiao Yi Su
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Wen Qing Chen
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Jin Wei Yu
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Jing Ru Li
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Peng Jiang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Jing Cui
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Zhong Quan Wang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
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Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Prevention of Sparganosis in Asia. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12121578. [PMID: 35739914 PMCID: PMC9219546 DOI: 10.3390/ani12121578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sparganosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the larvae (spargana) of the genus Spirometra, which is widely distributed globally and threatens human health. More than 60 species of Spirometra have already been identified, and over 2000 cases have been reported. This review summarizes the prevalence of humans, frogs, snakes, and other animals with spargana. Furthermore, the infection mode, distribution, and site are summarized and analyzed. We also describe the epidemiology, molecular diagnosis, and other aspects which are of considerable significance to preventing sparganum.
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Chen SY, Gong TF, He JL, Li F, Li WC, Xie LX, Xie XR, Liu YS, Zhou YF, Liu W. Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Spirometra Tapeworms from Snakes in Hunan Province. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9020062. [PMID: 35202315 PMCID: PMC8879218 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9020062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Yu Chen
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (S.-Y.C.); (T.-F.G.); (J.-L.H.); (F.L.); (W.-C.L.); (X.-R.X.); (Y.-S.L.)
| | - Teng-Fang Gong
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (S.-Y.C.); (T.-F.G.); (J.-L.H.); (F.L.); (W.-C.L.); (X.-R.X.); (Y.-S.L.)
| | - Jun-Lin He
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (S.-Y.C.); (T.-F.G.); (J.-L.H.); (F.L.); (W.-C.L.); (X.-R.X.); (Y.-S.L.)
| | - Fen Li
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (S.-Y.C.); (T.-F.G.); (J.-L.H.); (F.L.); (W.-C.L.); (X.-R.X.); (Y.-S.L.)
| | - Wen-Chao Li
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (S.-Y.C.); (T.-F.G.); (J.-L.H.); (F.L.); (W.-C.L.); (X.-R.X.); (Y.-S.L.)
| | - Li-Xing Xie
- Orient Science & Technology College, Hunan Agriculture University, Changsha 410128, China;
| | - Xin-Rui Xie
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (S.-Y.C.); (T.-F.G.); (J.-L.H.); (F.L.); (W.-C.L.); (X.-R.X.); (Y.-S.L.)
| | - Yi-Song Liu
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (S.-Y.C.); (T.-F.G.); (J.-L.H.); (F.L.); (W.-C.L.); (X.-R.X.); (Y.-S.L.)
| | - Ying-Fang Zhou
- Orient Science & Technology College, Hunan Agriculture University, Changsha 410128, China;
- Correspondence: (Y.-F.Z.); (W.L.)
| | - Wei Liu
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; (S.-Y.C.); (T.-F.G.); (J.-L.H.); (F.L.); (W.-C.L.); (X.-R.X.); (Y.-S.L.)
- Hunan Provincial the Key Laboratory of Protein Engineering in Animal Vaccine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
- Correspondence: (Y.-F.Z.); (W.L.)
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Lightowlers MW, Gasser RB, Hemphill A, Romig T, Tamarozzi F, Deplazes P, Torgerson PR, Garcia HH, Kern P. Advances in the treatment, diagnosis, control and scientific understanding of taeniid cestode parasite infections over the past 50 years. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:1167-1192. [PMID: 34757089 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the past 50 years, enormous progress has been made in the diagnosis, treatment and control of taeniid cestode infections/diseases and in the scientific understanding thereof. Most interest in this group of parasites stems from the serious diseases that they cause in humans. It is through this lens that we summarize here the most important breakthroughs that have made a difference to the treatment of human diseases caused by these parasites, reduction in transmission of the taeniid species associated with human disease, or understanding of the parasites' biology likely to impact diagnosis or treatment in the foreseeable future. Key topics discussed are the introduction of anti-cestode drugs, including benzimidazoles and praziquantel, and the development of new imaging modalities that have transformed the diagnosis and post-treatment monitoring of human echinococcoses and neurocysticercosis. The availability of new anti-cestode drugs for use in dogs and a detailed understanding of the transmission dynamics of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato have underpinned successful programs that have eliminated cystic echinococcosis in some areas of the world and greatly reduced the incidence of infection in others. Despite these successes, cystic and alveolar echinococcosis and neurocysticercosis continue to be prevalent in many parts of the world, requiring new or renewed efforts to prevent the associated taeniid infections. Major advances made in the development of practical vaccines against E. granulosus and Taenia solium will hopefully assist in this endeavour, as might the understanding of the parasites' biology that have come from an elucidation of the nuclear genomes of each of the most important taeniid species causing human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marshall W Lightowlers
- Department of Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia.
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Romig
- University of Hohenheim, Parasitology Unit, Emil-Wolff-Strasse 34, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Francesca Tamarozzi
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, 37024 Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Peter Deplazes
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse, and Medical Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Paul R Torgerson
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hector H Garcia
- Infectious Diseases Laboratory Research-LID, Faculty of Science and Philosophy, Alberto Cazorla Talleri, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú; Cysticercosis Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima, Perú
| | - Peter Kern
- Ulm University Hospital, Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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Kamenetzky L, Maldonado LL, Cucher MA. Cestodes in the genomic era. Parasitol Res 2021; 121:1077-1089. [PMID: 34665308 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07346-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The first cestode genomes were obtained by an international consortium led by the Wellcome Sanger Institute that included representative institutions from countries where the sequenced parasites have been studied for decades, in part because they are etiological agents of endemic diseases (Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, Canada, UK, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, USA, Japan, and China). After this, several complete genomes were obtained reaching 16 species to date. Cestode genomes have smaller relative size compared to other animals including free-living flatworms. Moreover, the features genome size and repeat content seem to differ in the two analyzed orders. Cyclophyllidean species have smaller genomes and with fewer repetitive content than Diphyllobothriidean species. On average, cestode genomes have 13,753 genes with 6 exons per gene and 41% GC content. More than 5,000 shared cestode proteins were accurately annotated by the integration of gene predictions and transcriptome evidence being more than 40% of these proteins of unknown function. Several gene losses and reduction of gene families were found and could be related to the extreme parasitic lifestyle of these species. The application of cutting-edge sequencing technology allowed the characterization of the terminal sequences of chromosomes that possess unique characteristics. Here, we review the current status of knowledge of complete cestode genomes and place it within a comparative genomics perspective. Multidisciplinary work together with the implementation of new technologies will provide valuable information that can certainly improve our chances to finally eradicate or at least control diseases caused by cestodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Kamenetzky
- iB3, Instituto de Biociencias, Departamento de Fisiología Y Biología Molecular Y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Biotecnología y Biología traslacional, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Lucas L Maldonado
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Institute of Research On Microbiology and Medical Parasitology (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcela A Cucher
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Institute of Research On Microbiology and Medical Parasitology (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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12
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Wu W, LoVerde PT. Identification and evolution of nuclear receptors in Platyhelminths. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250750. [PMID: 34388160 PMCID: PMC8363021 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the first complete set of Platyhelminth nuclear receptors (NRs) from Schistosoma mansoni were identified a decade ago, more flatworm genome data is available to identify their NR complement and to analyze the evolutionary relationship of Platyhelminth NRs. NRs are important transcriptional modulators that regulate development, differentiation and reproduction of animals. In this study, NRs are identified in genome databases of thirty-three species including in all Platyhelminth classes (Rhabditophora, Monogenea, Cestoda and Trematoda). Phylogenetic analysis shows that NRs in Platyhelminths follow two different evolutionary lineages: 1) NRs in a free-living freshwater flatworm (Schmidtea mediterranea) and all parasitic flatworms share the same evolutionary lineage with extensive gene loss. 2) NRs in a free-living intertidal zone flatworm (Macrostomum lignano) follow a different evolutionary lineage with a feature of multiple gene duplication and gene divergence. The DNA binding domain (DBD) is the most conserved region in NRs which contains two C4-type zinc finger motifs. A novel zinc finger motif is identified in parasitic flatworm NRs: the second zinc finger of parasitic Platyhelminth HR96b possesses a CHC2 motif which is not found in NRs of all other animals studied to date. In this study, novel NRs (members of NR subfamily 3 and 6) are identified in flatworms, this result demonstrates that members of all six classical NR subfamilies are present in the Platyhelminth phylum. NR gene duplication, loss and divergence in Platyhelminths are analyzed along with the evolutionary relationship of Platyhelminth NRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Wu
- Departments of Biochemistry and Structural Biology and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Philip T. LoVerde
- Departments of Biochemistry and Structural Biology and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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13
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Genome of the fatal tapeworm Sparganum proliferum uncovers mechanisms for cryptic life cycle and aberrant larval proliferation. Commun Biol 2021; 4:649. [PMID: 34059788 PMCID: PMC8166898 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02160-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cryptic parasite Sparganum proliferum proliferates in humans and invades tissues and organs. Only scattered cases have been reported, but S. proliferum infection is always fatal. However, S. proliferum’s phylogeny and life cycle remain enigmatic. To investigate the phylogenetic relationships between S. proliferum and other cestode species, and to examine the mechanisms underlying pathogenicity, we sequenced the entire genomes of S. proliferum and a closely related non–life-threatening tapeworm Spirometra erinaceieuropaei. Additionally, we performed larvae transcriptome analyses of S. proliferum plerocercoid to identify genes involved in asexual reproduction in the host. The genome sequences confirmed that the S. proliferum has experienced a clearly distinct evolutionary history from S. erinaceieuropaei. Moreover, we found that nonordinal extracellular matrix coordination allows asexual reproduction in the host, and loss of sexual maturity in S. proliferum are responsible for its fatal pathogenicity to humans. Our high-quality reference genome sequences should be valuable for future studies of pseudophyllidean tapeworm biology and parasitism. Kikuchi et al. sequence the genome of the fatal tapeworm Sparganum proliferum and a closely related non–life-threatening tapeworm Spirometra erinaceieuropaei, and describe its genomic features suggesting the natural history and molecular mechanisms underlying pathogenicity. Their findings indicate that nonordinal extracellular matrix coordination is important for its asexual reproduction, and suggest that loss of sexual maturity contributes to the fatal pathogenicity of S. proliferum to humans.
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14
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Okino T, Yamasaki H, Yamamoto Y, Fukuma Y, Kurebayashi J, Sanuki F, Moriya T, Ushirogawa H, Saito M. A case of human breast sparganosis diagnosed as Spirometra Type I by molecular analysis in Japan. Parasitol Int 2021; 84:102383. [PMID: 34044106 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A 92-year-old Japanese woman presented with a mass in the left breast, and sparganosis was suspected by biopsy of the mass. The mass disappeared once, but it reappeared at the same site one year later. For a definitive diagnosis, the mass was surgically removed, and a sparganum-like worm was detected. The causative agent was confirmed as Spirometra Type I (most probably Spirometra mansoni) by mitochondrial DNA analysis. The serological examination also proved the case as sparganosis. Considering the presence of two Spirometra species (Type I and II) in Asia, particularly Japan, molecular analysis of the causative agents is highly recommended to understand the epidemiology, infection sources, and pathogenicity in humans in both species, if the parasite specimens are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Okino
- Department of Microbiology, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama 701-0192, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Yamasaki
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Yutaka Yamamoto
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama 701-0192, Japan
| | - Yuna Fukuma
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama 701-0192, Japan
| | - Junichi Kurebayashi
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama 701-0192, Japan
| | - Fumiaki Sanuki
- Department of Pathology, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama 701-0192, Japan
| | - Takuya Moriya
- Department of Pathology, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama 701-0192, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ushirogawa
- Department of Microbiology, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama 701-0192, Japan
| | - Mineki Saito
- Department of Microbiology, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama 701-0192, Japan
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15
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Liu GH, Korhonen PK, Young ND, Lu J, Wang T, Fu YT, Koehler AV, Hofmann A, Chang BCH, Wang S, Li N, Lin CY, Zhang H, Xiangli L, Lin L, Liu WM, Li N, Li HW, Gasser RB, Zhu XQ. Dipylidium caninum draft genome - a new resource for comparative genomic and genetic explorations of flatworms. Genomics 2021; 113:1272-1280. [PMID: 33677058 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2021.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Here, we present a draft genome of the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum (family Dipylidiidae) and compare it with other cestode genomes. This draft genome of D. caninum is 110 Mb in size, has a repeat content of ~13.4% and is predicted to encode ~10,000 protein-coding genes. We inferred excretory/secretory molecules (representing the secretome), other key groups of proteins (including peptidases, kinases, phosphatases, GTPases, receptors, transporters and ion-channels) and predicted potential intervention targets for future evaluation. Using 144 shared single-copy orthologous sequences, we investigated the genetic relationships of cestodes for which nuclear genomes are available. This study provides first insights into the molecular biology of D. caninum and a new resource for comparative genomic and genetic explorations of this and other flatworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Hua Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China.
| | - Pasi K Korhonen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Neil D Young
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Jiang Lu
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518124, China; Shenzhen Zhong Nong Jing Yue Biotech Company Limited, Shenzhen 518124, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Yi-Tian Fu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Anson V Koehler
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia; Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Dathan 4111, Australia
| | - Bill C H Chang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Shuai Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China
| | - Nan Li
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518124, China; Shenzhen Zhong Nong Jing Yue Biotech Company Limited, Shenzhen 518124, China
| | - Chu-Yu Lin
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518124, China; Shenzhen Zhong Nong Jing Yue Biotech Company Limited, Shenzhen 518124, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518124, China; Shenzhen Zhong Nong Jing Yue Biotech Company Limited, Shenzhen 518124, China
| | - Lingzi Xiangli
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518124, China; Shenzhen Zhong Nong Jing Yue Biotech Company Limited, Shenzhen 518124, China
| | - Lin Lin
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518124, China; Shenzhen Zhong Nong Jing Yue Biotech Company Limited, Shenzhen 518124, China
| | - Wei-Min Liu
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518124, China; Shenzhen Zhong Nong Jing Yue Biotech Company Limited, Shenzhen 518124, China
| | - Nan Li
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518124, China; Shenzhen Zhong Nong Jing Yue Biotech Company Limited, Shenzhen 518124, China
| | - Hua-Wei Li
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518124, China; Shenzhen Zhong Nong Jing Yue Biotech Company Limited, Shenzhen 518124, China
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia.
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China.
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16
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Yamasaki H, Sanpool O, Rodpai R, Sadaow L, Laummaunwai P, Un M, Thanchomnang T, Laymanivong S, Aung WPP, Intapan PM, Maleewong W. Spirometra species from Asia: Genetic diversity and taxonomic challenges. Parasitol Int 2020; 80:102181. [PMID: 32898662 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite considerable controversy concerning the taxonomy of species within the genus Spirometra, human sparganosis and spirometrosis mainly in Asia and Europe has long been confidently ascribed to Spirometra erinaceieuropaei. Recently, the mitochondrial genomes of purported "S. erinaceieuropaei", "Spirometra decipiens" and "Spirometra ranarum" from Asia have been determined. However, it has been pointed out that the morphological criteria used for identifying these species are unsuitable and thus these identifications are questionable. In the present study, therefore, Spirometra samples from Asia were re-examined based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene sequences and the identification of these species was discussed. Haplotype network and phylogenetic analyses revealed that: i) two distinct Spirometra species, Type I and Type II, are present in Asia and neither of which is close to likely European "S. erinaceieuropaei"; ii) Type I is genetically diverse and widely distributed, however Type II is known so far from Japan and Korea; iii) "S. decipiens" and "S. ranarum" reported from Asia are conspecific with Type I; iv) Type I is probably conspecific with Spirometra mansoni, and Type II may represent an undescribed species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Yamasaki
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan.
| | - Oranuch Sanpool
- Department of Parasitology and Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Technology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Mekong Health Science Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Rutchanee Rodpai
- Department of Parasitology and Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Technology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Mekong Health Science Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Lakkhana Sadaow
- Department of Parasitology and Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Technology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Mekong Health Science Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Porntip Laummaunwai
- Department of Parasitology and Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Technology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Mekong Health Science Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Mesa Un
- Department of Parasitology and Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Technology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Mekong Health Science Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Tongjit Thanchomnang
- Department of Parasitology and Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Technology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Mekong Health Science Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand
| | - Sakhone Laymanivong
- Centre of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Win Pa Pa Aung
- Department of Microbiology, University of Medicine 2, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Pewpan M Intapan
- Department of Parasitology and Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Technology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Mekong Health Science Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Wanchai Maleewong
- Department of Parasitology and Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Technology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Mekong Health Science Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
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17
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Kuchta R, Kołodziej-Sobocińska M, Brabec J, Młocicki D, Sałamatin R, Scholz T. Sparganosis (Spirometra) in Europe in the Molecular Era. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 72:882-890. [DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Sparganosis is a relatively neglected foodborne and waterborne disease caused by species of the tapeworm genus Spirometra, the global distribution of which has not been sufficiently recognized. Known mainly as a zoonosis of East Asia, its species are native to all inhabited continents including Europe. Spirometra has been reported from numerous wildlife species from 17 European countries, and a critical review confirmed 17 autochthonous and 8 imported human clinical cases. We present the first molecular evidence of the coincident presence of 2 species in Europe and review the current distribution to raise awareness of the parasite in this region. Spirometra erinaceieuropaei is restricted to Europe and Spirometra mansoni represents a lineage distributed mainly across Asia and Oceania that reaches Europe. The parasite is common in Eastern Europe and its distribution has potential to expand along with its invasive or migrating mammal hosts, spreading the risks of human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Kuchta
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Jan Brabec
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Natural History Museum of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Młocicki
- Department of General Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rusłan Sałamatin
- Department of General Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomáš Scholz
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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18
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The first transcriptomic resource for the flatworm Triaenophorus nodulosus (Cestoda: Bothriocephalidea), a common parasite of holarctic freshwater fish. Mar Genomics 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2019.100702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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19
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Liu W, Tang H, Abuzeid AMI, Tan L, Wang A, Wan X, Zhang H, Liu Y, Li G. Protein phosphorylation networks in spargana of Spirometra erinaceieuropaei revealed by phosphoproteomic analysis. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:248. [PMID: 32404185 PMCID: PMC7218563 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04119-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sparganosis caused by Spirometra erinaceieuropaei spargana is a zoonotic parasitic infection that has been reported in many countries, including China, Japan, Thailand and Korea, as well as European countries and the USA. The biological and clinical significance of the parasite have previously been reported. Although the genomic and transcriptomic analysis of S. erinaceieuropaei provided insightful views about the development and pathogenesis of this species, little knowledge has been acquired in terms of post-translational regulation that is essential for parasite growth, development and reproduction. Here, we performed site-specific phosphoproteomic profiling, with an aim to obtain primary information about the global phosphorylation status of spargana. Results A total of 3228 phosphopeptides and 3461 phosphorylation sites were identified in 1758 spargana proteins. The annotated phosphoproteins were involved in a variety of biological pathways, including cellular (28%), metabolic (20%) and single-organism (17%) processes. The functional enrichment of phosphopeptides by Gene Ontology analysis indicated that most spargana phosphoproteins were related to the cytoskeleton cellular compartment, signaling molecular function, and a variety of biological processes, including a molecular function regulator, guanyl-nucleotide exchange factor activity, protein kinase activities, and calcium ion binding. The highly enriched pathways of phosphorylation proteins include the phosphatidylinositol signaling system, phagosome, endocytosis, inositol phosphate metabolism, terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, and peroxisome. Domain analysis identified an EF-hand domain and pleckstrin homology domain among the key domains. Conclusions To our knowledge, this study performed the first global phosphoproteomic analysis of S. erinaceieuropaei. The dataset reported herein provides a valuable resource for future studies on the signaling pathways of this important zoonotic parasite.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Zoonosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Animal Vaccine & Protein Engineering, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hailin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Asmaa M I Abuzeid
- Guangdong Provincial Zoonosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Tan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Animal Vaccine & Protein Engineering, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Aibing Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China.,The Key Laboratory of Animal Vaccine & Protein Engineering, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueping Wan
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Haoji Zhang
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528225, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yisong Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
| | - Guoqing Li
- Guangdong Provincial Zoonosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.
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20
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Herz M, Brehm K. Evidence for densovirus integrations into tapeworm genomes. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:560. [PMID: 31771643 PMCID: PMC6880638 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3820-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tapeworms lack a canonical piRNA-pathway, raising the question of how they can silence existing mobile genetic elements (MGE). Investigation towards the underlying mechanisms requires information on tapeworm transposons which is, however, presently scarce. METHODS The presence of densovirus-related sequences in tapeworm genomes was studied by bioinformatic approaches. Available RNA-Seq datasets were mapped against the Echinococcus multilocularis genome to calculate expression levels of densovirus-related genes. Transcription of densovirus loci was further analyzed by sequencing and RT-qPCR. RESULTS We herein provide evidence for the presence of densovirus-related elements in a variety of tapeworm genomes. In the high-quality genome of E. multilocularis we identified more than 20 individual densovirus integration loci which contain the information for non-structural and structural virus proteins. The majority of densovirus loci are present as head-to-tail concatemers in isolated repeat containing regions of the genome. In some cases, unique densovirus loci have integrated close to histone gene clusters. We show that some of the densovirus loci of E. multilocularis are actively transcribed, whereas the majority are transcriptionally silent. RT-qPCR data further indicate that densovirus expression mainly occurs in the E. multilocularis stem cell population, which probably forms the germline of this organism. Sequences similar to the non-structural densovirus genes present in E. multilocularis were also identified in the genomes of E. canadensis, E. granulosus, Hydatigera taeniaeformis, Hymenolepis diminuta, Hymenolepis microstoma, Hymenolepis nana, Taenia asiatica, Taenia multiceps, Taenia saginata and Taenia solium. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that densovirus integration has occurred in many tapeworm species. This is the first report on widespread integration of DNA viruses into cestode genomes. Since only few densovirus integration sites were transcriptionally active in E. multilocularis, our data are relevant for future studies into gene silencing mechanisms in tapeworms. Furthermore, they indicate that densovirus-based vectors might be suitable tools for genetic manipulation of cestodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Herz
- Institut für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie, Universität Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str 2/E1, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Brehm
- Institut für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie, Universität Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str 2/E1, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Konsiliarlabor für Echinokokkose des Robert-Koch-Instituts, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2/E1, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
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21
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Isolation and partial structural characterization of new Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitors from the pike cestode Triaenophorus nodulosus. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2019; 233:111217. [PMID: 31454544 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2019.111217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The inhibitors produced by the parasitic worms successfully protect them from the host's proteases and are supposed to underlie the host-parasite specificity. Our previous study has shown that the extracts from the pike tapeworm Triaenophorus nodulosus inhibit host proteinases and commercial trypsin. We aimed to isolate and identify the components responsible for trypsin inactivation. After a two-step separation the molecular masses were measured by SE-HPLC. The sample proved to contain four fractions represented by polypeptides (1-45 kDa) and low-molecular hydrophobic compounds. According to SDS-PAGE analysis, the major polypeptides in the fractions displaying the highest inhibition had masses of 14.4 kDa. The study culminated in partial N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis with a further search for homology. The research revealed two novel Kunitz-type proteins potentially responsible for the inhibitory capacity of the tapeworms against trypsin. Our findings extend the list of cestodes relying on Kunitz-type proteins in the host-parasite molecular cross-talk.
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Scholz T, Kuchta R, Brabec J. Broad tapeworms (Diphyllobothriidae), parasites of wildlife and humans: Recent progress and future challenges. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2019; 9:359-369. [PMID: 31341771 PMCID: PMC6630034 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Tapeworms of the family Diphyllobothriidae, commonly known as broad tapeworms, are predominantly large-bodied parasites of wildlife capable of infecting humans as their natural or accidental host. Diphyllobothriosis caused by adults of the genera Dibothriocephalus, Adenocephalus and Diphyllobothrium is usually not a life-threatening disease. Sparganosis, in contrast, is caused by larvae (plerocercoids) of species of Spirometra and can have serious health consequences, exceptionally leading to host's death in the case of generalised sparganosis caused by 'Sparganum proliferum'. While most of the definitive wildlife hosts of broad tapeworms are recruited from marine and terrestrial mammal taxa (mainly carnivores and cetaceans), only a few diphyllobothriideans mature in fish-eating birds. In this review, we provide an overview the recent progress in our understanding of the diversity, phylogenetic relationships and distribution of broad tapeworms achieved over the last decade and outline the prospects of future research. The multigene family-wide phylogeny of the order published in 2017 allowed to propose an updated classification of the group, including new generic assignment of the most important causative agents of human diphyllobothriosis, i.e., Dibothriocephalus latus and D. nihonkaiensis. Genomic data of selected representatives have also begun to accumulate, promising future developments in understanding the biology of this particular group of parasites. The list of nominal species of taxonomically most complicated genus Spirometra as well as host-parasite list of 37 species of broad tapeworms parasitising marine mammals (pinnipeds and cetaceans) are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Scholz
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Kuchta
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Brabec
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Natural History Museum of Geneva, PO Box 6434, CH-1211, Geneva 6, Switzerland
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The first case of human sparganosis in Poland and a review of the cases in Europe. Parasitol Int 2019; 70:89-91. [PMID: 30794872 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Abstract
Parasitic nematodes (roundworms) and platyhelminths (flatworms) cause debilitating chronic infections of humans and animals, decimate crop production and are a major impediment to socioeconomic development. Here we report a broad comparative study of 81 genomes of parasitic and non-parasitic worms. We have identified gene family births and hundreds of expanded gene families at key nodes in the phylogeny that are relevant to parasitism. Examples include gene families that modulate host immune responses, enable parasite migration though host tissues or allow the parasite to feed. We reveal extensive lineage-specific differences in core metabolism and protein families historically targeted for drug development. From an in silico screen, we have identified and prioritized new potential drug targets and compounds for testing. This comparative genomics resource provides a much-needed boost for the research community to understand and combat parasitic worms.
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Cwiklinski K, Dalton JP. Advances in Fasciola hepatica research using 'omics' technologies. Int J Parasitol 2018; 48:321-331. [PMID: 29476869 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica is an economically important pathogen of livestock worldwide, as well as being an important neglected zoonosis. Parasite control is reliant on the use of drugs, particularly triclabendazole, which is effective against multiple parasite stages. However, the spread of parasites resistant to triclabendazole has intensified the pursuit for novel control strategies. Emerging 'omics' technologies are helping advance our understanding of liver fluke biology, specifically the molecules that act at the host-parasite interface and are central to infection, virulence and long-term survival within the definitive host. This review discusses the technological sequencing advances that have facilitated the unbiased analysis of liver fluke biology, resulting in an extensive range of 'omics' datasets. In addition, we highlight the 'omics' studies of host responses to F. hepatica infection that, when combined with the parasite datasets, provide the opportunity for integrated analyses of host-parasite interactions. These extensive datasets will form the foundation for future in-depth analysis of F. hepatica biology and development, and the search for new drug or vaccine interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystyna Cwiklinski
- School of Biological Sciences, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - John P Dalton
- School of Biological Sciences, Medical Biology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK; Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS), Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
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Ben AF. Carphology. Pract Neurol 2017. [DOI: 10.1136/practneurol-2017-001802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Badri M, Eslahi AV, Majidiani H, Pirestani M. Spirometra erinaceieuropaei in a wildcat (Felis silvestris) in Iran. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2017; 10:58-61. [PMID: 31014600 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The zoonotic helminth, Spirometra, has several species with almost global distribution. Herein, we describe the first detailed molecular detection of Spirometra erinaceieuropaei in a road-killed wildcat (Felis silvestris) in Iran and its identification at the species level using CO1 gene. Genomic DNA was extracted using CTAB extraction method. The DNA then was applied for PCR amplification of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CO1) gene. Afterwards, PCR product was sequenced and obtained data were analyzed and multiple aligned using BLAST program, ClustalX and Bioedit software. Microscopy findings and diagnostic clues revealed that the parasite is a Spirometra sp. cestode. Consequently, molecular analysis on the basis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene demonstrated that the species is Spirometra erinaceieuropaei. Regarding optimum climate conditions and previous reports of animal infection in this region, the likelihood of human involvement should be potentially considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Badri
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aida Vafae Eslahi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Majidiani
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Majid Pirestani
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Complete sequence and characterization of the mitochondrial genome of Diphyllobothrium stemmacephalum, the type species of genus Diphyllobothrium (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidae), using next generation sequencing. Parasitol Int 2017. [PMID: 28647499 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2017.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
We first constructed and characterized the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of Diphyllobothrium stemmacephalum, the type species of genus Diphyllobothrium, using next generation sequencing (NGS). The mitogenome of D. stemmacephalum was 13,716bp, including 12 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and 2 longer intergenic non-coding regions, and has features common to mitogenomes of other cestodes. Although it has been accepted that tRNA for serine (trnS2(UCN)) in Platyhelminthes lacks a D arm, the trnS2(UCN) of D. stemmacephalum was predicted to have a paired D arm as in Diplogonoporus balaenopterae. The non-coding region 2 contained eight tandem repeat units (34nucleotides/unit). This study also corroborated that D. stemmacephalum is phylogenetically more closely related to Dip. balaenopterae than to Diphyllobothrium latum and Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense. As demonstrated here, mitogenome sequence data obtained using NGS is useful for gaining a better understanding of the systematics, phylogeny and taxonomic revisions involving valuable specimens preserved in museums, universities or research institutes for which sequence data are not yet available, and also for making diagnoses based on clinical samples.
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Maldonado LL, Assis J, Araújo FMG, Salim ACM, Macchiaroli N, Cucher M, Camicia F, Fox A, Rosenzvit M, Oliveira G, Kamenetzky L. The Echinococcus canadensis (G7) genome: a key knowledge of parasitic platyhelminth human diseases. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:204. [PMID: 28241794 PMCID: PMC5327563 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3574-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The parasite Echinococcus canadensis (G7) (phylum Platyhelminthes, class Cestoda) is one of the causative agents of echinococcosis. Echinococcosis is a worldwide chronic zoonosis affecting humans as well as domestic and wild mammals, which has been reported as a prioritized neglected disease by the World Health Organisation. No genomic data, comparative genomic analyses or efficient therapeutic and diagnostic tools are available for this severe disease. The information presented in this study will help to understand the peculiar biological characters and to design species-specific control tools. RESULTS We sequenced, assembled and annotated the 115-Mb genome of E. canadensis (G7). Comparative genomic analyses using whole genome data of three Echinococcus species not only confirmed the status of E. canadensis (G7) as a separate species but also demonstrated a high nucleotide sequences divergence in relation to E. granulosus (G1). The E. canadensis (G7) genome contains 11,449 genes with a core set of 881 orthologs shared among five cestode species. Comparative genomics revealed that there are more single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) between E. canadensis (G7) and E. granulosus (G1) than between E. canadensis (G7) and E. multilocularis. This result was unexpected since E. canadensis (G7) and E. granulosus (G1) were considered to belong to the species complex E. granulosus sensu lato. We described SNPs in known drug targets and metabolism genes in the E. canadensis (G7) genome. Regarding gene regulation, we analysed three particular features: CpG island distribution along the three Echinococcus genomes, DNA methylation system and small RNA pathway. The results suggest the occurrence of yet unknown gene regulation mechanisms in Echinococcus. CONCLUSIONS This is the first work that addresses Echinococcus comparative genomics. The resources presented here will promote the study of mechanisms of parasite development as well as new tools for drug discovery. The availability of a high-quality genome assembly is critical for fully exploring the biology of a pathogenic organism. The E. canadensis (G7) genome presented in this study provides a unique opportunity to address the genetic diversity among the genus Echinococcus and its particular developmental features. At present, there is no unequivocal taxonomic classification of Echinococcus species; however, the genome-wide SNPs analysis performed here revealed the phylogenetic distance among these three Echinococcus species. Additional cestode genomes need to be sequenced to be able to resolve their phylogeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas L. Maldonado
- IMPaM, CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juliana Assis
- Genomics and Computational Biology Group, René Rachou Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Flávio M. Gomes Araújo
- Genomics and Computational Biology Group, René Rachou Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Anna C. M. Salim
- Genomics and Computational Biology Group, René Rachou Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Natalia Macchiaroli
- IMPaM, CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcela Cucher
- IMPaM, CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico Camicia
- IMPaM, CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Adolfo Fox
- IMPaM, CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mara Rosenzvit
- IMPaM, CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guilherme Oliveira
- Genomics and Computational Biology Group, René Rachou Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Belém, Brazil
| | - Laura Kamenetzky
- IMPaM, CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Tschoeke DA, de Oliveira LS, Leomil L, Tanuri A, Thompson FL. Pregnant women carrying microcephaly foetuses and Zika virus contain potentially pathogenic microbes and parasites in their amniotic fluid. BMC Med Genomics 2017; 10:5. [PMID: 28077143 PMCID: PMC5225515 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-016-0242-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Microcephaly has become a major public health problem in Brazil. The total number of newborns with microcephaly was reported to be >4000 in June 2016. Studies suggest that Zika Virus is a major cause of new microcephaly cases in Brazil. Inside the uterus, the foetus is surrounded by the Amniotic Fluid, a proximal fluid that contains foetal and maternal cells as well as microorganisms and where Zika Virus was already found. Case presentation A previous study reported the presence of the Zika Virus in the amniotic fluid (collected in the 28th gestational week) of two pregnant women carrying microcephaly foetuses in Brazil. The virus was detected by means of real-time PCR and metatranscriptomic analysis. We compared the microbiome of these two cases with metatranscriptomic sequences from 16 pregnant women collected at various times in their pregnancies Conclusion Several strains of bacteria (e.g., Streptococcus and Propionibacterium) found in Amniotic Fluid may be involved in neurological diseases. When the foetus is infected by the Zika Virus, due to neurological damage, they do not move inside the uterus, thus changing the Amniotic Fluid environment, potentially leading to secondary problems. Zika infection could also lead to an immunodeficient state, making bacterial colonization of the foetuses easier. An altered microbial composition during pregnancy may also result in harmful secondary metabolite production from certain microbes that further impair foetal brain development. However, these observations of potentially harmful microbial species are correlations and thus cannot be assumed to be causative agents of (microcephaly) disease. In our study, microbial and parasitic diversity of the Amniotic Fluid was lower in patients infected by ZIKV, compared to that of Prenatal and Preterm controls. The present study was a first attempt to shed light on the microbial and parasitic diversity associated with ZIKV-infected pregnant women bearing microcephaly foetuses, and the presence of diverse microbial and parasite communities in the Amniotic Fluid suggests a poor health status of both the pregnant women and the foetuses they carry. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12920-016-0242-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Antonio Tschoeke
- Instituto de Biologia, CCS, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Anexo ao Bloco A, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil.,Laboratório de Sistemas Avançados de Gestão de Produção-SAGE-COPPE, Centro de Gestão Tecnológica-CT2, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Núcleo em Ecologia e Desenvolvimento Sócio-Ambiental de Macaé (NUPEM), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Louisi Souza de Oliveira
- Instituto de Biologia, CCS, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Anexo ao Bloco A, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Luciana Leomil
- Instituto de Biologia, CCS, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Anexo ao Bloco A, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Amilcar Tanuri
- Instituto de Biologia, CCS, Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Bloco A, Ilha do Fundão, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fabiano Lopes Thompson
- Instituto de Biologia, CCS, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Anexo ao Bloco A, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Brazil. .,Laboratório de Sistemas Avançados de Gestão de Produção-SAGE-COPPE, Centro de Gestão Tecnológica-CT2, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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Howe KL, Bolt BJ, Shafie M, Kersey P, Berriman M. WormBase ParaSite - a comprehensive resource for helminth genomics. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2016; 215:2-10. [PMID: 27899279 PMCID: PMC5486357 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2016.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 383] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
WormBase ParaSite is a new resource for helminth genomics. The resource provides access to over 100 nematode and platyhelminth genomes. The genomes are consistently annotated, organised and presented. A variety of views and tools for exploring and querying the data are provided.
The number of publicly available parasitic worm genome sequences has increased dramatically in the past three years, and research interest in helminth functional genomics is now quickly gathering pace in response to the foundation that has been laid by these collective efforts. A systematic approach to the organisation, curation, analysis and presentation of these data is clearly vital for maximising the utility of these data to researchers. We have developed a portal called WormBase ParaSite (http://parasite.wormbase.org) for interrogating helminth genomes on a large scale. Data from over 100 nematode and platyhelminth species are integrated, adding value by way of systematic and consistent functional annotation (e.g. protein domains and Gene Ontology terms), gene expression analysis (e.g. alignment of life-stage specific transcriptome data sets), and comparative analysis (e.g. orthologues and paralogues). We provide several ways of exploring the data, including genome browsers, genome and gene summary pages, text search, sequence search, a query wizard, bulk downloads, and programmatic interfaces. In this review, we provide an overview of the back-end infrastructure and analysis behind WormBase ParaSite, and the displays and tools available to users for interrogating helminth genomic data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin L Howe
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK.
| | - Bruce J Bolt
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Myriam Shafie
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Paul Kersey
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Matthew Berriman
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
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Evolutionary characterization of Ty3/gypsy-like LTR retrotransposons in the parasitic cestode Echinococcus granulosus. Parasitology 2016; 143:1691-1702. [PMID: 27571603 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182016001499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Cyclophyllidean cestodes including Echinococcus granulosus have a smaller genome and show characteristics such as loss of the gut, a segmented body plan, and accelerated growth rate in hosts compared with other tissue-invading helminths. In an effort to address the molecular mechanism relevant to genome shrinkage, the evolutionary status of long-terminal-repeat (LTR) retrotransposons, which are known as the most potent genomic modulators, was investigated in the E. granulosus draft genome. A majority of the E. granulosus LTR retrotransposons were classified into a novel characteristic clade, named Saci-2, of the Ty3/gypsy family, while the remaining elements belonged to the CsRn1 clade of identical family. Their nucleotide sequences were heavily corrupted by frequent base substitutions and segmental losses. The ceased mobile activity of the major retrotransposons and the following intrinsic DNA loss in their inactive progenies might have contributed to decrease in genome size. Apart from the degenerate copies, a gag gene originating from a CsRn1-like element exhibited substantial evidences suggesting its domestication including a preserved coding profile and transcriptional activity, the presence of syntenic orthologues in cestodes, and selective pressure acting on the gene. To my knowledge, the endogenized gag gene is reported for the first time in invertebrates, though its biological function remains elusive.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Sparganosis is an infectious disease caused by the sparganum of Spirometra species, which seldom invades the respiratory system. The aim was to describe the clinical features and outcomes of pulmonary sparganosis. METHODS A total of 40 patients with pulmonary sparganosis were reviewed, including 12 cases known from this experience and 28 cases reported in the literature. RESULTS Among these 40 patients at an average age of 45.4 ± 11.1 years (men 29), 34 (85%) had a history of ingesting raw or undercooked meat (mainly frogs or snakes). The top 3 symptoms were coughing (60.0%), fever (57.5%) and chest pain (42.5%). Peripheral blood eosinophilia was found in 30 cases (75%). Lesions were located in lung parenchyma, airway, pleura and pulmonary vessels of the patients. Thirty-one patients (77.5%) had pleural effusion. The diagnosis was established by antisparganum antibody test in 30 cases (75%) and by pathology in 9 cases (22.5%); 1 case was not mentioned. Among the 35 cases with follow-up information, 2 treated with complete surgical removal and 31 with oral administration of praziquantel had no recurrence; the remaining 2 died without effective treatments. CONCLUSIONS As an extremely rare and life-threatening parasitic zoonosis, pulmonary sparganosis should be diagnosed by combining the epidemiology, patient history, eosinophilia and the positive antisparganum antibody test result together if no worm was detected. Oral praziquantel is considered to be an effective treatment.
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Moguel B, Moreno-Mendoza N, Bobes RJ, Carrero JC, Chimal-Monroy J, Díaz-Hernández ME, Herrera-Estrella L, Laclette JP. Transient transgenesis of the tapeworm Taenia crassiceps. SPRINGERPLUS 2015; 4:496. [PMID: 26389021 PMCID: PMC4571025 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1278-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Human and porcine cysticercosis is caused by the larval stage of the flatworm Taenia solium (Cestoda). Infestation of the human brain, also known as neurocysticercosis, is the most common parasite disease of the central nervous system worldwide. Significant advances in the understanding of the disease have been achieved using the Taenia crassiceps murine model. We describe here a successful transfection protocol of T. crassiceps cysticerci as the first step to approach a number of currently inaccessible biological questions on cysticercosis. T. crassiceps cysticerci (ORF strain) were microinjected with the plasmid pcDNA3.1/NT-GFP-TOPO, encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by a cytomegalovirus promoter (CMV). Twelve hours after the microinjection, GFP fluorescence gradually developed in patches associated to bud structures in the bladder wall of cysts. Fluorescence reached a peak at 24-48 h and lasted up to 72 h after the microinjection. Immunohistochemical studies on tissue sections of transfected cysts using an anti-GFP antibody, demonstrated co-localization of the antibody and the GFP fluorescence in the tegumentary cytoplasm and subtegumentary cytons. To validate at the mRNA level the expression of GFP, we carried out RT-PCR using two pairs of nested primers. Results showed expression of GFP-mRNA at 24 h post-transfection. Moreover, western blot assays of crude extracts of transfected cysts, carried out using the anti-GFP specific antibody, showed the expected protein band of 27 kDa, demonstrating that the GFP expression started at 24 after plasmid microinjection and was maintained up to 72 h. These findings will facilitate the development of functional genomics approaches applied to this model of cysticercosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Moguel
- Institute for Biomedical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, C.P. 04510 México DF, México
| | - Norma Moreno-Mendoza
- Institute for Biomedical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, C.P. 04510 México DF, México
| | - Raúl J Bobes
- Institute for Biomedical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, C.P. 04510 México DF, México
| | - Julio C Carrero
- Institute for Biomedical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, C.P. 04510 México DF, México
| | - Jesús Chimal-Monroy
- Institute for Biomedical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, C.P. 04510 México DF, México
| | - Martha E Díaz-Hernández
- Institute for Biomedical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, C.P. 04510 México DF, México
| | - Luis Herrera-Estrella
- National Laboratory of Genomics for Biodiversity-cinvestav, Km 9.6 Libramiento Norte Carretera Irapuato-León, C.P. 36821 Irapuato, Gto México
| | - Juan P Laclette
- Institute for Biomedical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, C.P. 04510 México DF, México
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Liu Q, Li MW, Wang ZD, Zhao GH, Zhu XQ. Human sparganosis, a neglected food borne zoonosis. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2015; 15:1226-1235. [PMID: 26364132 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(15)00133-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Revised: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Human sparganosis is a food borne zoonosis caused by the plerocercoid larvae (spargana) of various diphyllobothroid tapeworms of the genus Spirometra. Human infections are acquired by ingesting the raw or undercooked meat of snakes or frogs, drinking untreated water, or using raw flesh in traditional poultices. More than 1600 cases of sparganosis have been documented worldwide, mostly in east and southeast Asia. Sporadic cases have been reported in South America, Europe, and Africa, and several cases have been described in travellers returning from endemic regions. Epidemiological data suggest that the increased effect of sparganosis on human health is because of greater consumption of raw meat of freshwater frogs and snakes. This Review provides information about the Spirometra parasites and their lifecycles, summarises clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of human sparganosis, and describes geographical distribution and infection characteristics of Spirometra parasites in host animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China; Military Veterinary Institute, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Ming-Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural College, Guangdong Ocean University, Huguangyan, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ze-Dong Wang
- Military Veterinary Institute, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Guang-Hui Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China.
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Abstract
Ripudaman K Bains is the editor of the Genome Biology special issue content on the 'genomics of infectious diseases', and introduces the collection in this editorial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ripudaman K Bains
- Genome Biology, BioMed Central, 236 Gray’s Inn Road, London, WC1X 8HB UK
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