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Multilocus Characterization of Human Ascaris in Pakistan Indicates Ongoing Introgression and Shared Global Haplotypes
Amjad Ullah Khan1, Tayyaba Shan1, Mashal Khalid1
1Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Molecular epidemiology of Ascaris in Pakistan reveals a genetically interconnected species complex, not distinct species, with ongoing microevolutionary processes. This finding is crucial for understanding parasite transmission dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Understanding Ascaris molecular epidemiology is vital for clarifying species boundaries and transmission dynamics.
- Human-animal interfaces can influence parasite dispersal, necessitating regional studies.
- This research offers a multilocus characterization of Ascaris populations in Pakistan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive multilocus characterization of Ascaris populations in Pakistan.
- To utilize nuclear and mitochondrial markers for genetic analysis.
- To investigate species boundaries and transmission dynamics in the region.
Main Methods:
- Collected 1675 expelled adult Ascaris worms from children across six districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
- Performed genomic DNA extraction and sequencing of nuclear (5.8S, ITS2, 28S rDNA) and mitochondrial (cox1) markers.
- Utilized phylogenetic analysis and haplotype network construction to assess genetic variation and relationships.
Main Results:
- Nuclear rDNA analysis showed very low intraspecific variation, with most Pakistani Ascaris isolates nearly identical.
- Mitochondромial cox1 sequences exhibited shallow divergence (<1%), with Pakistani haplotypes intermixing within a well-supported Ascaris clade.
- Phylogenetic and haplotype analyses indicated strong global connectivity and suggested incomplete lineage sorting and historical introgression between Ascaris species.
Conclusions:
- The genetic intermixing of Ascaris sequences supports the view of a genetically interconnected species complex.
- Distinct species separation was not evident, suggesting a complex evolutionary history.
- The presence of slightly divergent haplotypes points to ongoing microevolutionary processes within Pakistani Ascaris populations.
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