Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of E. vermicularis in appendectomy specimens from Iran

Human infection with Enterobius vermicularis occurs worldwide, particularly in children. The role of E. vermicularis in appendicitis is neglected. This study was designed to investigate genotypes of E. vermicularis detected from appendectomy specimens in the human population from Iran and clarify the intra-species variation of the parasite. Seventy appendectomies for acute clinical appendicitis isolates from Azerbaijan and North Khorasan of Iran were used in the present study. The genetic information of Tehran and Hamedan regions was also obtained from GenBank for comparison and analysis. The nucleotide sequence of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene was analyzed to perform genetic differentiation, haplotype network analysis, and population structure. Phylogenetic analysis of all the isolates were included in type B haplogroup. The number of haplotypes in all geographical locations of Iran is not much. Network analysis of sequences for regions such as Thailand, Iran, Denmark, and Poland show three classified subtypes B1, B2, and B3 in the B haplogroup. It seems that the haplotypes of E. vermicularis detected from appendectomy are B type, and divided into three subtypes. Further research using another genetic marker is required to elucidate the genetic variation of the parasites in detail.