Dirofilaria asiatica isolate:D.asi-1.1 Genome sequencing
Filarioid nematodes, including species of Dirofilaria, are significant vector-borne parasites of animals and humans. Among them, Dirofilaria asiatica was recently described as a novel species in canids, with zoonotic potential, yet its genetic architecture, molecular adaptations, and immune evasion strategies remain poorly understood. Here, we present the first high-quality chromosome-contiguous genome assembly of D. asiatica, constructed from a single adult specimen using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C sequencing. Comparative genomic analyses with Dirofilaria immitis, Brugia malayi, and Onchocerca volvulus reveal extensive synteny conservation but also lineage-specific expansions in gene families implicated in immune evasion. We identified and characterised an extensive complement of genes encoding exctretory/secretory proteins, including homologues of well-characterized filarial immunomodulatory molecules. Transcriptomic data confirmed the differential expression of these genes in adult worms. The findings provide insights into the molecular adaptations that enable D. asiatica to persist in canine and potentially human hosts, advancing our understanding of filarial parasite biology and informing future research on diagnostic and therapeutic interventions against dirofilariasis.