Huyse, Tine, Maes, Gregory E., Geldof, Sarah, Vereecken, Kim, Djibril, Djibril, Rollinson, David, Webster, Bonnie L., and Polman, Katja (2008) High genetic diversity in Schistosoma mansoni in the Senegal River Basin: a population genetic analysis 20 years after the epidemic outbreak. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 79 (6 Suppl). pp. 86-87.

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Abstract

About twenty years ago, two dams were constructed in the Senegal River Basin (SRB) in order to improve the agricultural conditions in Northern Senegal. The subsequent ecological changes stimulated the growth and spreading of Bulinus and Biomphalaria snail species, intermediate hosts of Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni, respectively. This resulted in a major outbreak of intestinal schistosomiasis. A recent study highlighted an increase in urinary schistosomiasis while infection intensity is decreasing for S. mansoni (Polman K, pers. comm.). This is a unique system where the origin of an epidemic outbreak is exactly known and its evolution carefully monitored, providing an opportunity to study the molecular evolution of pathogens in a relative short time frame. Demographic parameters such as the effective population size reflects the adaptive potential of a parasite, i.e. how the parasite population can cope with selection pressure of the host or the environment, while gene flow estimates illustrate the transmission dynamics between populations and localities. Here we report on the population genetic structure of S. mansoni. In March 2006 and 2007, urine and stool samples were collected along the lower and middle valley of the SRB. Eggs have been isolated and hatched. Individual miracidia were collected on Whatman FTAR indicator cards and genotyped for 9 microsatellite loci (a single multiplex). A selection of samples has also been sequenced for ITS1 rDNA and partial cox1 mtDNA. A thorough population genetic analysis revealed a high genetic diversity within populations, but low genetic differentiation between populations, suggesting extensive migration between villages.

Item ID:	34290
Item Type:	Article (Abstract)
ISSN:	1476-1645
Additional Information:	This issue of The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene includes abstracts from the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 57th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, 7-11 December 2008.
Date Deposited:	20 Aug 2014 04:07
FoR Codes:	06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0604 Genetics > 060411 Population, Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics @ 100%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9205 Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health) > 920506 Rural Health @ 100%
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