bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Aug. 8, 2024
Abstract
The
human
parasitic
fluke,
Schistosoma
haematobium
hybridizes
with
the
livestock
parasite
S.
bovis
in
laboratory,
but
extent
of
hybridization
nature
is
unclear.
We
analyzed
34.6
million
single
nucleotide
variants
162
samples
from
18
African
countries,
revealing
a
sharp
genetic
discontinuity
between
northern
and
southern
.
found
no
evidence
for
recent
hybridization.
Instead
data
reveal
admixture
events
that
occurred
257-879
generations
ago
populations.
Fifteen
introgressed
genes
are
approaching
fixation
four
potentially
driving
adaptation.
identified
19
regions
were
resistant
to
introgression;
these
enriched
on
sex
chromosomes.
These
results
(i)
demonstrate
strong
barriers
gene
flow
species,
(ii)
indicate
may
be
less
common
than
currently
envisaged,
(iii)
profound
genomic
consequences
interspecific
schistosomes
medical
veterinary
importance.
PLoS neglected tropical diseases,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
15(12), P. e0010062 - e0010062
Published: Dec. 23, 2021
Schistosomes
cause
schistosomiasis,
the
world’s
second
most
important
parasitic
disease
after
malaria
in
terms
of
public
health
and
social-economic
impacts.
A
peculiar
feature
these
dioecious
parasites
is
their
ability
to
produce
viable
fertile
hybrid
offspring.
Originally
only
present
tropics,
schistosomiasis
now
also
endemic
southern
Europe.
Based
on
analysis
two
genetic
markers
European
schistosomes
had
previously
been
identified
as
hybrids
between
livestock-
human-infective
species
Schistosoma
bovis
haematobium
,
respectively.
Here,
using
PacBio
long-read
sequencing
technology
we
performed
genome
assembly
improvement
annotation
S
.
one
parental
for
which
no
satisfactory
was
available.
We
then
describe
whole
introgression
levels
schistosomes,
morphometric
parameters
(eggs
adult
worms)
compatibility
with
snail
strains
used
vectors
(
Bulinus
truncatus
Planorbarius
metidjensis
).
Schistosome-snail
a
key
parameter
life
cycle
progression,
thus
capability
parasite
establish
given
area.
Our
results
show
that
this
strongly
introgressed
genetically,
composed
77%
23%
origin.
This
genomic
admixture
suggests
an
ancient
hybridization
event
subsequent
backcrosses
human-specific
species,
before
its
introduction
Corsica.
egg
morphology
(commonly
diagnostic)
does
not
allow
accurate
identification
while
tests
do.
Pathogens,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
11(4), P. 425 - 425
Published: March 31, 2022
Background:
Schistosomiasis
is
a
major
poverty-related
disease
caused
by
dioecious
parasitic
flatworms
of
the
genus
Schistosoma
with
health
impact
on
both
humans
and
animals.
Hybrids
human
urogenital
schistosome
bovine
intestinal
have
been
reported
in
several
Nigeria’s
neighboring
West
African
countries.
No
empirical
studies
carried
out
genomic
diversity
haematobium
Nigeria.
Here,
we
present
novel
data
presence
prevalence
hybrids
population
genetic
structure
S.
haematobium.
Methods:
165
Schistosoma-positive
urine
samples
were
obtained
from
12
sampling
sites
eggs
each
sample
hatched
individual
miracidium
was
picked
preserved
Whatman®
FTA
cards
for
analysis.
Approximately
1364
parasites
molecularly
characterized
rapid
diagnostic
multiplex
polymerase
chain
reaction
(RD-PCR)
mitochondrial
DNA
gene
(Cox1
mtDNA)
subset
1136
miracidia
genotyped
using
panel
18
microsatellite
markers.
Results:
significant
difference
observed
(p
>
0.05),
though
allelic
richness
except
7,
8,
9
<
0.05).
Moreover,
two
clusters
populations:
west
(populations
1−4)
east
7−12).
Of
genotyped,
1212
(89%)
showed
an
bovis
Cox1
profile
152
(11%)
cox1
profile.
All
some
at
3
4.
full
genotyping
59.3%
ITS2
allele.
Conclusions:
This
study
provides
insight
into
hybridization
Our
findings
suggest
that
x
are
common
More
human-
animal-infecting
needed
to
ascertain
role
animals
transmission.
Infectious Diseases of Poverty,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
11(1)
Published: March 26, 2022
Hybrids
between
Schistosoma
haematobium
(Sh)
and
S.
bovis
(Sb)
have
been
found
in
several
African
countries
as
well
Europe.
Since
the
consequences
of
this
hybridization
are
still
unknown,
study
aims
to
verify
presence
such
hybrids
Cameroonian
humans,
describe
structure
populations
on
a
large
geographic
scale,
examine
impact
these
genetic
diversity
populations.From
January
April
2019,
urine
from
infected
children
was
collected
ten
geographically
distinct
populations.
Miracidia
were
eggs
urine.
To
detect
among
miracidia
we
genotyped
both
Cox1
(RD-PCR)
ITS2
gene
(PCR-RFLP).
Population
assessed
by
genotyping
each
miracidium
with
panel
14
microsatellite
markers.
Gene
measured
using
heterozygosity
allelic
richness
indexes,
analyzed
paired
Fst,
PCA
Bayesian
approaches.Of
1327
studied,
88.7%
identified
pure
genotypes
(Sh_Sh/Sh)
while
remaining
11.3%
(7.0%
Sh_Sh/Sb,
3.7%
Sb_Sb/Sh
0.4%
Sb_Sh/Sb).
No
has
genotype
bovis.
Allelic
ranged
5.55
(Loum
population)
7.73
(Matta-Barrage)
differed
significantly
Mean
53.7%
(Loum)
59%
(Matta
Barrage)
no
significant
difference.
The
overall
differentiation
inferred
either
principal
component
analysis
or
approach
shows
partial
structure.
Southern
Matta
clearly
separated
other
localities
but
northern
limited,
certainly
due
proximity
sites.Hybrids
that
hatched
present
schoolchildren.
percentages
correlated
parasite,
indicating
increases
our
sampling
sites.
Hybridization
is
therefore
major
biological
process
shapes
haematobium.
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
378(1887)
Published: Aug. 20, 2023
The
past
three
years
has
seen
the
launch
of
a
new
World
Health
Organization
(WHO)
neglected
tropical
diseases
(NTDs)
roadmap,
together
with
revised
control
and
elimination
guidelines.
Across
all,
there
is
now
clear
emphasis
on
need
to
incorporate
One
approach,
recognizing
critical
links
between
human
animal
health
environment.
Schistosomiasis,
caused
by
Schistosoma
spp.
trematodes,
NTD
global
medical
veterinary
importance,
over
220
million
people
untold
millions
livestock
currently
infected.
Its
burden
remains
extremely
high
in
certain
regions,
particularly
within
sub-Saharan
Africa,
despite
two
decades
mass
preventive
chemotherapy
(mass
drug
administration),
predominantly
school-aged
children.
In
contrast
Asia,
any
zoonotic
component
schistosomiasis
transmission
its
implications
for
disease
has,
until
recently,
been
largely
ignored.
Here,
we
review
recent
epidemiological,
clinical,
molecular,
modelling
work
across
both
Asia
Africa.
We
outline
evolutionary
history
dynamics
species,
emphasize
emerging
risk
raised
wildlife
reservoirs
viable
hybridization
schistosomes.
To
achieve
2030
WHO
roadmap
targets,
truly
multi-disciplinary
perspective
must
be
implemented.
This
article
part
theme
issue
‘Challenges
opportunities
fight
against
diseases:
decade
from
London
Declaration
NTDs’.
Microorganisms,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
9(8), P. 1776 - 1776
Published: Aug. 20, 2021
Hybridization
of
infectious
agents
is
a
major
emerging
public
and
veterinary
health
concern
at
the
interface
evolution,
epidemiology,
control.
Whilst
evidence
extent
hybridization
amongst
parasites
increasing,
their
impact
on
morbidity
remains
largely
unknown.
This
may
be
predicted
to
particularly
pertinent
where
animals
with
contrasting
pathogenicity
viably
hybridize
human
parasites.
Recent
research
has
revealed
that
viable
zoonotic
hybrids
between
urogenital
Schistosoma
haematobium
intestinal
species
livestock,
notably
bovis,
can
highly
prevalent
across
Africa
beyond.
Examining
populations
in
Senegal,
we
found
increased
hepatic
but
decreased
morbidity,
reduced
improvement
following
treatment
praziquantel,
those
infected
compared
non-hybrids.
Our
results
have
implications
for
effective
monitoring
evaluation
control
programmes,
demonstrate
first
time
potential
parasite
hybridizations
host
morbidity.
Molecular Ecology,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
31(8), P. 2242 - 2263
Published: Feb. 13, 2022
Abstract
Schistosoma
mansoni
,
a
snail‐borne,
blood
fluke
that
infects
humans,
was
introduced
into
the
Americas
from
Africa
during
Trans‐Atlantic
slave
trade.
As
this
parasite
shows
strong
specificity
to
snail
intermediate
host,
we
expected
adaptation
South
American
Biomphalaria
spp.
snails
would
result
in
population
bottlenecks
and
signatures
of
selection.
We
scored
475,081
single
nucleotide
variants
143
S.
(Brazil,
Guadeloupe
Puerto
Rico)
(Cameroon,
Niger,
Senegal,
Tanzania,
Uganda),
used
these
data
ask:
(i)
Was
there
bottleneck
colonization?
(ii)
Can
identify
selection
associated
with
(iii)
What
were
source
populations
for
colonizing
parasites?
found
2.4‐
2.9‐fold
reduction
diversity
much
slower
decay
linkage
disequilibrium
(LD)
parasites
East
West
Africa.
However,
observed
similar
nuclear
LD
Brazil,
suggesting
no
limited
barriers
colonization.
identified
five
genome
regions
showing
Americas,
compared
three
none
Africa,
which
speculate
may
reflect
Finally,
infer
unsampled
central
African
between
Benin
Angola,
contributions
are
probably
major
source(s)
Brazilian
.
The
absence
suggests
is
rare
case
serendipitous
invasion,
where
pre‐adapted
able
establish
relative
ease.
PLoS Pathogens,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
18(8), P. e1010706 - e1010706
Published: Aug. 8, 2022
Hybridization
between
different
species
of
parasites
is
increasingly
being
recognised
as
a
major
public
and
veterinary
health
concern
at
the
interface
infectious
diseases
biology,
evolution,
epidemiology
ultimately
control.
Recent
research
has
revealed
that
viable
hybrids
introgressed
lineages
Schistosoma
spp.
are
prevalent
across
Africa
beyond,
including
those
with
zoonotic
potential.
However,
it
remains
unclear
whether
these
hybrid
represent
recent
hybridization
events,
suggesting
ongoing,
and/or
they
derived
from
ancient
events.
In
human
schistosomiasis,
investigation
hampered
by
inaccessibility
adult-stage
worms
due
to
their
intravascular
location,
an
issue
which
can
be
circumvented
post-mortem
livestock
abattoirs
for
known
To
characterise
composition
naturally-occurring
schistosome
hybrids,
we
performed
whole-genome
sequencing
21
natural
infective
isolates.
facilitate
this,
also
assembled
de
novo
chromosomal-scale
draft
assembly
curassoni
.
Genomic
analyses
identified
isolates
S
bovis
,
two
species,
all
were
early
generation
multiple
generations
found
within
same
host.
These
results
show
ongoing
process
populations
potential
further
challenge
elimination
efforts
against
schistosomiasis.
PLoS neglected tropical diseases,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
16(1), P. e0010088 - e0010088
Published: Jan. 31, 2022
Schistosomiasis
remains
a
public
health
concern
across
sub-Saharan
Africa;
current
control
programmes
rely
on
accurate
mapping
and
high
mass
drug
administration
(MDA)
coverage
to
attempt
disease
elimination.
Inter-species
hybridisation
can
occur
between
certain
species,
changing
epidemiological
dynamics
within
endemic
regions,
which
has
the
potential
confound
interventions.
The
impact
of
is
well
illustrated
in
areas
Cameroon
where
urogenital
schistosomiasis,
primarily
due
Schistosoma
haematobium
hybrid
infections,
now
predominate
over
intestinal
schistosomiasis
caused
by
guineensis
.
Genetic
markers
have
shown
ability
identify
hybrids,
however
underlying
genomic
architecture
divergence
introgression
these
species
yet
be
established.
In
this
study,
restriction
site
associated
DNA
sequencing
(RADseq)
was
used
archived
adult
worms
initially
identified
as;
bovis
(
n
=
4),
S
9),
3)
x
hybrids
4)
from
Mali,
Senegal,
Niger,
São
Tomé
Cameroon.
Genome-wide
evidence
supports
existence
populations
not
been
demonstrated
island
Tomé,
all
samples
showed
no
with
Additionally,
isolates
Nigeria,
Mali
indicated
signatures
Adaptive
loci
group
that
voltage-gated
calcium
ion
channels
(Ca
v
)
could
play
key
role
increase
survivability
particularly
host
systems.
Where
admixture
occurred
,
excess
introgressive
influx
tegumental
(outer
helminth
body)
antigenic
genes
increased
adaptive
response
leading
population
fitness
viability.
PLoS Pathogens,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
18(2), P. e1010288 - e1010288
Published: Feb. 15, 2022
Urogenital
schistosomiasis
is
caused
by
the
blood
fluke
Schistosoma
haematobium
and
one
of
most
neglected
tropical
diseases
worldwide,
afflicting
>
100
million
people.
It
characterised
granulomata,
fibrosis
calcification
in
urogenital
tissues,
can
lead
to
increased
susceptibility
HIV/AIDS
squamous
cell
carcinoma
bladder.
To
complement
available
treatment
programs
break
transmission
disease,
sound
knowledge
understanding
biology
ecology
S.
required.
Hybridisation/introgression
events
molecular
variation
among
members
haematobium-group
might
effect
important
biological
and/or
disease
traits
as
well
morbidity
effectiveness
control
including
mass
drug
administration.
Here
we
report
first
chromosome-contiguous
genome
for
a
well-defined
laboratory
line
this
fluke.
An
exploration
using
transcriptomic
data
all
key
developmental
stages
allowed
us
refine
gene
models
(including
non-coding
elements)
annotations,
discover
'new'
genes
transcription
profiles
these
stages,
likely
linked
development
pathogenesis.
Molecular
within
some
geographical
locations
Africa
revealed
unique
genomic
'signatures'
that
matched
species
other
than
haematobium,
indicating
occurrence
introgression
events.
The
present
reference
(designated
Shae.V3)
findings
from
study
solidly
underpin
future
functional
investigations
accelerate
systematic,
large-scale
population
genomics
investigations,
with
focus
on
improved
sustained
schistosomiasis.