Molecular characterization of ascaridoid parasites from captive wild carnivores in China using ribosomal and mitochondrial sequences

Click:2020-07-31 15:46:24 

Molecular characterization of ascaridoid parasites fromcaptive wild carnivores

in Chinausing ribosomal and mitochondrial sequences

Yue Xie , Yingxin Li, Xiaobin Gu, Yunjian Liu, Xuan Zhou,

Lu Wang, Ran He, Xuerong Pengand Guangyou Yang

Abstract:

Background:Despite the public health importance of toxocariasis/toxascariasis, only a few species of these ascaridoid parasites from wild canine and feline carnivores have been studied at the molecular level so far. Poor understanding of diversity, host distribution and the potential (zoonotic) transmission of the ascaridoid species among wild animals negatively affects their surveillance and control in natural settings. In this study, we updated previous knowledge by profiling the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of ascaridoid species among eleven wild canine and feline animals on the basis of a combined analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) gene and the partial mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit 2 (cox2) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) genes.

Results:In total, three genetically distinct ascaridoid lineages were determined to be present among these wild carnivores sampled, includingToxocaracanisinAlopex lagopus andVulpes vulpes,Toxocara catii nFelis chaus,Prionailurus bengalensisandCatopuma temminckiandToxascaris leoninainCanis lupus,Panthera tigris altaica,Panthera tigris amoyensis,Panthera tigris tigris,Panthera leoandLynx lynx. Furthermore, it was evident thatT. leonina lineage split into three well-supported subclades depending on their host species, i.e. wild felids, dogs and wolves and foxes, based on integrated genetic and phylogenetic evidence, supporting that a complex ofT. leonina other than one species infecting these hosts.

Conclusions:These results provide new molecular insights into classification, phylogenetic relationships and epidemiological importance of ascaridoids from wild canids and felids and also highlight the complex of the taxonomy and genetics ofToxascarisi n their wild and domestic carnivorous hosts

copyright:© The Author(s)

Parasites Vectors13, 382 (2020). doi.10.1186/s13071-020-04254-4

Read Full Text:https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-020-04254-4