Genetic interrelationships of Spirometra erinaceieuropaei (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea), the causative agent of sparganosis in Europe

Abstract

The geographic distribution of Spirometra erinaceieuropaei (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea), the causative agent of food/water-borne sparganosis, is restricted to Europe, where infected canids, felids, mustelids, suids, and reptiles have been documented from Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Serbia, Estonia, Latvia, and Finland. The main objective of the current study was to map the molecular divergence of S. erinaceieuropaei from Finland using the complete sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1 mtDNA). Seven cox1 haplotypes were determined in 15 tapeworms from Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) from three localities in southern Finland. In addition, the first inter-population study of S. erinaceieuropaei based on currently obtained data on cox1 from Finland and previously published data from Finland, Latvia, Ukraine, and Poland, was performed. The haplotype network showed a star-like pattern without specific subdivision of lineages according to the locality. Samples from Finland, Latvia, and Poland shared several haplotypes and formed the common Baltic lineage. The haplotype of S. erinaceieuropaei from Ukraine was unique and placed on a separate mutational pathway, suggesting a different lineage of the parasite.

Unique genetic structure of the human tapeworm Dibothriocephalus latus from the Alpine lakes region – a successful adaptation?

“…Indeed, all our attempts to enlarge the D. latus dataset for the current study were unsuccessful. We have genotyped adult diphyllobothriid tapeworms from a grey wolf ( Canis lupus ) and a Eurasian lynx ( Lynx lynx ) from Latvia (Bagrade et al , 2021) and from lynx from Finland (Čisovská Bazsalovicsová et al , 2022). All tapeworms from both regions, however, were another diphyllobothriid, Spirometra erinaceieuropaei , the causative agent of sparganosis.…”

Annexin gene family in Spirometra mansoni (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidae) and its phylogenetic pattern among Platyhelminthes of medical interest

“…Sparganosis is a neglected foodborne and waterborne zoonotic disease caused by the plerocercoid larvae (sparganum) of various diphyllobothroid tapeworms belonging to the genus Spirometra , which causes losses to socioeconomic development and poses a threat to public health [ 8 , 23 , 52 ]. Human beings are mainly infected via the consumption of undercooked meat derived from frogs or snakes infected with plerocercoids, through drinking untreated water containing Spirometra larvae, or by placing poultices of frog or snake flesh on open wounds [ 12 , 20 ].…”

Molecular characteristics of glutathione transferase gene family in a neglect medical Spirometra tapeworm

“…Until now, more than 2,000 human sparganosis have been reported, with the majority originating from east and southeast Asian countries (3). Recently, plerocercoid infections in humans and animals have also been reported in Africa, America and Europe (4).…”

“…Until now, more than 2,000 human sparganosis have been reported, with the majority originating from east and southeast Asian countries ( 3 ). Recently, plerocercoid infections in humans and animals have also been reported in Africa, America and Europe ( 4 ). Although several methods have been introduced in diagnosis and treatment, precision medicine for sparganosis still has a long way to go ( 5 ).…”