Standley, Claire J, Goodacre, Sara L, Wade, Christopher M and Stothard, Russell ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9370-3420 (2014) 'The population genetic structure of Biomphalaria choanomphala in Lake Victoria, East Africa: implications for schistosomiasis transmission.'. Parasites & Vectors, Vol 7, e524.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND
The freshwater snail Biomphalaria acts as the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni, a globally important human parasite. Understanding the population structure of intermediate host species can elucidate transmission dynamics and assist in developing appropriate control methods.
METHODS
We examined levels of population genetic structure and diversity in 29 populations of Biomphalaria choanomphala collected around the shoreline of Lake Victoria in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, where S. mansoni is hyper-endemic. Molecular markers were utilized to estimate the degree to which snail populations are genetically differentiated from one another.
RESULTS
High levels of snail genetic diversity were found coupled with evidence of geographically-determined population structure but low levels of local inbreeding. The data are consistent with an effect of schistosome infection on population structure of intermediate host snails, but other factors, such as habitat and historical demographic changes, could also be important determinants of the degree of population genetic structure in Biomphalaria choanomphala.
CONCLUSIONS
The low stratification of populations and high genetic diversity indicates potentially less local compatibility with intermediate snail populations than previously theorized, and highlights the importance of coordinated parasite control strategies across the region.
Item Type: | Article |
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Additional Information: | The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/7/1/524 |
Subjects: | QU Biochemistry > Genetics > QU 470 Genetic structures QX Parasitology > Helminths. Annelida > QX 355 Schistosoma WA Public Health > Preventive Medicine > WA 110 Prevention and control of communicable diseases. Transmission of infectious diseases WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WC Communicable Diseases > Tropical and Parasitic Diseases > WC 810 Schistosomiasis |
Faculty: Department: | Biological Sciences > Department of Tropical Disease Biology |
Digital Object Identifer (DOI): | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-014-0524-4 |
Depositing User: | Mary Creegan |
Date Deposited: | 09 Sep 2015 08:20 |
Last Modified: | 02 Dec 2019 12:52 |
URI: | https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/5295 |
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