Abstract

Interactions between schistosomes and their snail hosts play an important role in the development of the host and parasite genetic systems. The extent of genetic heterogeneity in local parasite populations has implications on the epidemiology of host disease. Schistosoma mansoni exhibits significant phenotypic differences within and among geographic populations, yet the extent and nature of genetic variability residing in this parasite and its host snails remains largely unknown. A combination of existing multi-locus DNA markers and forthcoming single locus molecular probes (microsatellites) will be used to quantify the degree of host and parasite genetic heterogeneity in natural populations; further, we will determine how that variation changes on a spatial and temporal scale.
Specific aims i nclude: 1) determination of how genetic variation is partitioned among the various parasite and snail host subpopulations at each transmission site; and 2) assessment of relative genetic structure within and between populations of both snail host and schistosomes, and quantitative comparison of temporal genetic changes in schistosomes following chemotherapy. Results will yield evolutionary insights into the epidemiological process, help identify genetic consequences of control strategies, and complement concurrent immuno-epidemiology studies of humans in these Brazilian communities.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI042768-03
Application #
6349850
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG5-TMP (01))
Program Officer
Aultman, Kathryn S
Project Start
1999-02-01
Project End
2003-01-31
Budget Start
2001-02-01
Budget End
2002-01-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$213,011
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Purdue University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
072051394
City
West Lafayette
State
IN
Country
United States
Zip Code
47907

  Publications

Thiele, Elizabeth A; Corrêa-Oliveira, Guilherme; Gazzinelli, Andrea et al. (2013) Elucidating the temporal and spatial dynamics of Biomphalaria glabrata genetic diversity in three Brazilian villages. Trop Med Int Health 18:1164-73
Thiele, Elizabeth A; Minchella, Dennis J (2013) Molecular assessment of trematode co-infection and intraspecific competition in molluscan intermediate hosts. Mol Biochem Parasitol 187:52-9
Jones-Nelson, Omari; Thiele, Elizabeth A; Minchella, Dennis J (2011) Transmission dynamics of two strains of Schistosoma mansoni utilizing novel intermediate and definitive hosts. Parasitol Res 109:675-87
Bos, David H; Mayfield, Chris; Minchella, Dennis J (2009) Analysis of regulatory protease sequences identified through bioinformatic data mining of the Schistosoma mansoni genome. BMC Genomics 10:488
Zavodna, Monika; Sandland, Gregory J; Minchella, Dennis J (2008) Effects of intermediate host genetic background on parasite transmission dynamics: a case study using Schistosoma mansoni. Exp Parasitol 120:57-61
Thiele, E A; Sorensen, R E; Gazzinelli, A et al. (2008) Genetic diversity and population structuring of Schistosoma mansoni in a Brazilian village. Int J Parasitol 38:389-99
Sandland, Gregory J; Rodgers, Jenna K; Minchella, Dennis J (2007) Interspecific antagonism and virulence in hosts exposed to two parasite species. J Invertebr Pathol 96:43-7
Sandland, Gregory J; Foster, Alice V; Zavodna, Monika et al. (2007) Interplay between host genetic variation and parasite transmission in the Biomphalaria glabrata-Schistosoma mansoni system. Parasitol Res 101:1083-9
Sorensen, R E; Rodrigues, N B; Oliveira, G et al. (2006) Genetic filtering and optimal sampling of Schistosoma mansoni populations. Parasitology 133:443-51
Stohler, R A; Curtis, J; Minchella, D J (2004) A comparison of microsatellite polymorphism and heterozygosity among field and laboratory populations of Schistosoma mansoni. Int J Parasitol 34:595-601

Showing the most recent 10 out of 16 publications