title: A preliminary investigation into the genetic variation and population structure of Taenia hydatigena from Sardinia, Italy.
abstract: Cysticercosis caused by the metacestode stage of Taenia hydatigena is endemic in Sardinia. Information on the genetic variation of this parasite is important for epidemiological studies and implementation of control programs. Using two mitochondrial genes, the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1) we investigated the genetic variation and population structure of Cysticercus tenuicollis from Sardinian intermediate hosts and compared it to that from other hosts from various geographical regions. The parsimony cox1 network analysis indicated the existence of a common lineage for T. hydatigena and the overall diversity and neutrality indices indicated demographic expansion. Using the cox1 sequences, low pairwise fixation index (Fst) values were recorded for Sardinian, Iranian and Palestinian sheep C. tenuicollis which suggested the absence of genetic differentiation. Using the ND1 sequences, C. tenuicollis from Sardinian sheep appeared to be differentiated from those of goat and pig origin. In addition, goat C. tenuicollis were genetically different from adult T. hydatigena as indicated by the statistically significant Fst value. Our results are consistent with biochemical and morphological studies that suggest the existence of variants of T. hydatigena.
authors: Cestode Zoonoses Research Group, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, M5 4WT Greater Manchester, UK. Electronic address: bboufana@yahoo.com.
authors: Belgees
authors: B
authors: Boufana
authors: Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Scala
authors: Parasitology Laboratory, National School of Veterinary Medicine, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.
authors: Samia
authors: S
authors: Lahmar
authors: Department of Agriculture, FIQQ 1ZZ Stanley, Falkland Islands.
authors: Steve
authors: S
authors: Pointing
authors: Cestode Zoonoses Research Group, School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, M5 4WT Greater Manchester, UK.
authors: Philip S
authors: PS
authors: Craig
authors: Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy.
authors: Giorgia
authors: G
authors: Dessì
authors: Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy.
authors: Antonella
authors: A
authors: Zidda
authors: Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy.
authors: Anna Paola
authors: AP
authors: Pipia
authors: Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Varcasia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003551:Cysticercosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006239:Haplotypes; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007558:Italy; D058751:Livestock; D010802:Phylogeny; D013621:Taenia / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV
keywords: Cysticercus tenuicollis; Genetic variation; Population structure; Sardinia; Taenia hydatigena