title: Population genetics of the filarial worm wuchereria bancrofti in a post-treatment region of Papua New Guinea: insights into diversity and life history.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Wuchereria bancrofti (Wb) is the primary causative agent of lymphatic filariasis (LF). Our studies of LF in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have shown that it is possible to reduce the prevalence of Wb in humans and mosquitoes through mass drug administration (MDA; diethylcarbamazine with/without ivermectin). While MDAs in the Dreikikir region through 1998 significantly reduced prevalence of Wb infection, parasites continue to be transmitted in the area.
  
  
  METHODS
  We sequenced the Wb mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase 1 (CO1) gene from 16 people infected with Wb. Patients were selected from 7 villages encompassing both high and moderate annual transmission potentials (ATP). We collected genetic data with the objectives to (i) document contemporary levels of genetic diversity and (ii) distinguish between populations of parasites and hosts across the study area.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We discovered 109 unique haplotypes currently segregating in the Wb parasite population, with one common haplotype present in 15 out of 16 infections. We found that parasite diversity was similar among people residing within the same village and clustered within transmission zones. For example, in the high transmission area, diversity tended to be more similar between neighboring villages, while in the moderate transmission area, diversity tended to be less similar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the Dreikikir region of PNG there are currently high levels of genetic diversity in populations of Wb. High levels of genetic diversity may complicate future MDAs in this region and the presence of dominant haplotypes will require adjustments to current elimination strategies.
authors.affiliation: Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Scott T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Small
authors.forename: Akshaya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramesh
authors.forename: Krufinta
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bun
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Reimer
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.forename: Manasseh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baea
authors.forename: Moses J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bockarie
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Siba
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kazura
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Tisch
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000235:genetics; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006239:Haplotypes; D006376:Helminths / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010219:Papua New Guinea / Q000453:epidemiology; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018509:DNA, Helminth; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV