Evidence of high genetic diversity among parasite populations in a schistosomiasis hotspot.

ABSTRACT: Genetic diversity in Schistosoma mansoni populations can impact the prevalence of resistance-conferring alleles, affecting treatment outcomes and control measures. Understanding how parasites are structured across and within populations is important to monitor and manage treatment impacts and the spread of drug resistance. This study assessed the genetic diversity and structure of S. mansoni populations under treatment using multi-locus microsatellite markers. Egg-positive stool samples from school-aged children in schistosomiasis-endemic communities were analyzed to obtain a binary matrix for GenAlEx 6.502 analysis. The markers were 78.57% polymorphic, with a mean allele number ranging from 2.50 to 4.75. Average population metrics were as follows: different alleles (Na) = 3.

SUBMITTER: Ashong YA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12323624 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature