A single cell adult-stage expression atlas of the human hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum
Hookworms, parasitic nematodes affecting around 500 million people in tropical regions, cause significant health issues such as iron-deficiency anemia, malnutrition, and severe morbidity, particularly in children and pregnant women. Despite reliance on two anthelmintic drugs, high reinfection rates and emerging drug resistance necessitate new treatments. Recent genomic studies and single-cell expression analyses, particularly of Ancylostoma ceylanicum, are crucial for understanding the parasite's biology and developing effective control strategies, although comprehensive single-cell transcriptional atlas studies for parasitic nematodes are still lacking. This study aims to establish a foundation by annotating a cell atlas of gene expression in the major tissues of adult hookworms. The results of this single-cell expression study hold great promise for advancing our understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of parasitic helminth survival within hosts.