biostudies-literatureChen SYthe Research and Innovation Project of Hunan Agricultural University62https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8879218biostudies-literatureUnknown9(2)Sparganosis is a neglected zoonotic parasitic disease that poses huge threats to humans worldwide. Snakes play an important role in sparganosis transmission because they are the most common second intermediate hosts for Spirometra parasites. However, the population genetics of Spirometra isolates from snakes is currently not well studied in China. The present study was performed to explore the molecular characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of Spirometra tapeworms from different species of snakes in Hunan Province. This study obtained 49 Spirometra isolates from 15 geographical areas in Hunan Province, Central China. Subsequently, the 18S and 28S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) fragments were amplified from the isolated parasites, and their sequences were analyzed to assess their genetic diversitVeterinary sciencesMolecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Spirometra Tapeworms from Snakes in Hunan Province.PMC88792182021JJ30335202147Gong TFHe JLLi WCChen SYZhou YFXie XRLi FXie LXLiu YSLiu WfalseMolecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Spirometra Tapeworms from Snakes in Hunan Province.Sparganosis is a neglected zoonotic parasitic disease that poses huge threats to humans worldwide. Snakes play an important role in sparganosis transmission because they are the most common second intermediate hosts for Spirometra parasites. However, the population genetics of Spirometra isolates from snakes is currently not well studied in China. The present study was performed to explore the molecular characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of Spirometra tapeworms from different species of snakes in Hunan Province. This study obtained 49 Spirometra isolates from 15 geographical areas in Hunan Province, Central China. Subsequently, the 18S and 28S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) fragments were amplified from the isolated parasites, and their sequences were analyzed to assess their genetic diversit2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Feb2025-04-19T10:47:30.897Z2025-04-19T10:47:30.897ZS-EPMC88792183520231510.3390/vetsci9020062